If you have ever had the pleasure of visiting Italy, you will inevitably have crossed paths with dozens of Piaggio Apes. And even here, it has brought joy to administrations and communities for many years. The typical small three-wheeled utility vehicle, launched in 1948, allowed an entire generation of Italians to access motorized mobility, and participated in the reconstruction, both physical and economic, of the country. Initially built on a Vespa scooter base on which a tray or rear body was welded, the Ape has been able to adapt and survive the decades up to the present day. But now, cornered by ever more drastic environmental and safety standards, the “bee” (“Ape” in Italian, a reference to its agility and the characteristic noise of its engine) is being driven out of its native lands. The last European copy left the chains of Pontedera, near Pisa. From now on, the scooter will be built exclusively in India, where it is also experiencing dazzling success, for the local market and Africa.
