Piaggio enters Indian market for three-wheeler with alternative fuels

Piaggio India has developed an all-new engine with LPG and CNG options for its three-wheeler vehicle, which is currently being manufactured at its Baramati plant located near Pune, India. Without divulging investment details, Ravi Chopra, CMD of Piaggio Vehicles, said that this new development is part of the company’s on-going plans, aimed at boosting sales and augmenting exports, and that the engine is scheduled to roll out in the first half of 2013.
Industry observers in India said that the market for three-wheelers with CNG and LPG options is around 2 lakh (200,000) units. Currently, only Bajaj offers this type of three-wheelers. Piaggio has set its sales for all types of its three-wheelers in 2012 at around 2 lakh (200,000) units, up from 1.85 lakh (185,000) units in 2011 (December 6, 2012)