Piaggio to launch quadricycle in January

Piaggio Vehicles plans to launch a four wheeler in the quadricycle segment in January next year. "The vehicle will have a capacity of between one and 1.5 tonne and will create a market of its own because the lowest light commercial vehicle in India today has a capacity of two tonne," said D K Dhamija, sales and marketing director of Piaggio Vehicles.

While the cargo variant will be launched in January, the company will also look at introducing a passenger variant of the vehicle later.

Quadricycles include those vehicles that are higher than three wheelers, but smaller than light commercial vehicles. Vehicles in this category have been introduced in other countries, but no automobile manufacturer has introduced these in India.

"The automobile industry and the government are working together and a framework of guidelines on testing, speeds and other issues for the segment will be announced shortly," the Piaggio official said.

Meanwhile, the company also plans to roll out CNG and LPG-run three-wheelers in the 500 kg category.

"Capacity was one of the major hurdles for our growth. We have already upgraded the assembly shop and the paints shop. The fabrication shop will be upgraded by June."Dhamija stated.

Dhamija said that since Delhi and Mumbai already have CNG re-fuelling facilities, CNG three wheelers will be marketed in these cities.