Goodbye Italy. After 76 years of history, theiconic Piaggio Ape will no longer be produced in the Pontedera factories (Pisa). The famous three-wheeler, symbol of post-war Italy, will be now manufactured exclusively in India, where environmental and safety regulations are less stringent and the market guarantees good sales results.
The announcement was communicated to union representatives in recent weeks, accompanied by reassurance on the production continuity of the Tuscan site, which will be reconverted to host the production of Electric Porter, new four-wheeled commercial vehicle.
The reasons for the choice
Piaggio's decision was mainly determined by the difficulty in adapting the Ape to the stringent European standards in terms of safety and the environment. The required updates, such as the introduction of airbags and assisted braking systems, would require important investments in research and development, which are not very sustainable for a vehicle with a current limited market in Europe.
Furthermore, with the entry into force of new regulations on emissions in 2024, maintaining production in Italy would have become even more complicated.
Ape in India, the electric Porter is the future of Pontedera
Piaggio will therefore reconvert the plant towards new objectives. In place of the Ape, the company will focus on the electric Porter, a four-wheeled commercial vehicle that meets the sustainability needs required by the European market.
The Bee, however, will continue to live in India, where it is already produced for years in traditional and electric versions. The Indian and African markets, less regulated than Europe, represent the new frontier for this iconic vehicle, which maintains its charm and utility in different contexts.
The reaction of the unions
The decision has generated mixed feelings among the unions. While on the one hand there is regret for the end of the production of a historical symbol, on the other hand there are concerns for the workers involved.
Angel Capone, secretary of Fiom Pisa, underlined how the choice was inevitable: “Beyond the romantic aspect of the bond with the territory, it is a choice in somehow forcedThe Ape is a two-stroke Euro 4, imagining a Euro 5 two-stroke is a complicated thing from a mechanical point of view. It would be necessary to change the engine but at that point it would no longer be an Ape”.
Samuel Nacci of Uilm Pisa highlighted that "the Bee production involves less than 10% of the Pontedera staff, and the workers can be easily relocated”. Zull'Ape, however, had no choice: “with the current regulations there is no longer any room for production in Italy. Our regret is for a piece of Pontedera's history that is going away, with the Ape that will still be produced in other factories in other countries. Perhaps certain laws were introduced a bit hastily, it seems that only Europe is concerned about pollution, while the rest of the world doesn't care”.
The unions are asking, however, clarity on future investments and on the timing of the production reconversion.
Flavia Capilli, regional secretary of Fim Cisl, has expressed “cautious concern” for the announcement of the redundancy fund for about 1.100 employees in December. “It is important to know what the new products which will be invested in to ensure stability for the plant,” he declared.
A piece of Made in Italy that is going away
The Piaggio Ape, designed in the post-war period by the engineer Corradino D'Ascanio, has been a symbol of Made in Italy recognized throughout the world. With the closure of Italian production, an era ends. Now a new chapter on the horizon for the famous "tricycle", which will continue to travel the roads of Asia and Africa, adapting to the evolving times and markets.
For the nostalgic, however, the Ape will still be available thanks to the stocks in Italian warehouses, allowing dealers to continue selling them.
