Piaggio Secures 100-Unit Order for Apé Xtra Bada 700 from HeidelbergCement India

Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (PVPL) has secured an order for over 100 units of its new Apé Xtra Bada 700 from HeidelbergCement India Limited. These diesel cargo three-wheelers will be deployed across 53 districts in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. This order marks one of the largest fleet commitments for the Apé Xtra Bada 700 since its launch.

Key Highlights

• (PVPL) has secured an order for over 100 units of its new Apé Xtra Bada 700 from HeidelbergCement India Limited.
• These diesel cargo three-wheelers will be deployed across 53 districts in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
• This order marks one of the largest fleet commitments for the Apé Xtra Bada 700 since its launch.
• HeidelbergCement India Limited will use the Apé Xtra Bada 700 vehicles for cargo operations in 53 districts.

Major Order and Deployment

HeidelbergCement India Limited will use the Apé Xtra Bada 700 vehicles for cargo operations in 53 districts. The deployment covers key regions in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Piaggio, a subsidiary of the Italian Piaggio Group, sees this as a significant step for its new model in the Indian market.

The Apé Xtra Bada 700 is positioned to compete directly with entry-level four-wheeler small commercial vehicles (SCVs). Piaggio aims to show that three-wheelers can handle tasks traditionally managed by four-wheeled cargo vehicles.

Vehicle Features and Specifications

The Apé Xtra Bada 700 is built on a new platform. It features a redesigned chassis, updated suspension geometry, and a new 700 DI diesel engine. The vehicle offers a payload capacity of 750 kg, which Piaggio claims is the highest in the diesel cargo three-wheeler segment.

The cargo deck measures seven feet in length, which the company states is an industry first. Additional features include 12-inch radial tyres, a 3.5-inch digital instrument cluster, and an optional rear parking sensor. The driver cabin is designed for extended use. Piaggio offers a five-year industry warranty for this model.

Market Context and Company Strategy

The cement and construction sector in India has typically used four-wheeled light commercial vehicles for last-mile distribution. These vehicles offer advantages in payload and deck size. Piaggio’s Apé Xtra Bada 700 aims to close this gap by providing similar carrying capacity with potentially lower operating costs.

Amit Sagar, Executive Vice President for CV Domestic Business and Retail Finance at PVPL, stated that the HeidelbergCement order validates the vehicle’s capabilities. He added that Piaggio aims to improve total cost of ownership for commercial operators.

PVPL began operations in India in 1999. The company produces diesel, petrol, CNG, LPG, and electric three-wheelers at its Baramati plant in Maharashtra. The plant has an annual capacity of over 330,000 commercial vehicles and 180,000 two-wheelers. Piaggio exports its products to more than 50 countries.