Autohub Group signs license agreement to assemble Piaggio Apè vehicles

Photo by Alvin Uy

Last February 28, Autoitalia Philippines Enterprises, Inc., the country’s exclusive distributor of Piaggio formally entered into a technical licensing agreement (TLA) with Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (PVPL) to assemble Piaggio vehicles for export and for the local market. The formal signing ceremony was held in the function room of the Manila Golf and Country Club granting Autoitalia to assemble completely knocked down (CKD) kits from Piaggio’s PVPL plant in India and assemble them in a plant located in Cabuyao, Laguna. Autoitalia Philippines is part of the Autohub Group.

The Autohub Group is one of the country’s biggest multi-brand car and motorcycle distributor and auto service group. Currently, it is the authorized dealer of Ford Philippines, Nissan Philippines, Hyundai Philippines and Mazda Philippines. It is also the distributor of Rolls Royce, Lotus Cars, Mini Cooper and Piaggio APE in the Philippines. Its other business interests include Autohub CarCare Services (ACCS) , Used Cars Philippines, V-Kool Philippines and Autohub Institute of Technology.

Under the agreement, Autoitalia will localize 40% of the CKD parts and with the Board of Investments’ (BOI) Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP) or Executive Order 156, assemble and distribute these popular three-wheeled units locally and in other ASEAN markets. Thanks to the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA), parts can be sourced within the region at very competitive prices and duty free.

Italian motor vehicle manufacturer Piaggio & C. s.p.a. and its subsidiary Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (PVPL) is a market leader in the three-wheeler cargo and passenger segment in India. PVPL is 100% owned by Piaggio & C. s.p.a. PVPL was established in 1999 with the launch of the Apé brand which became an instant success and has grown immensely over the years. Apé vehicles are well-engineered and known for their higher fuel efficiency, rugged performance and outstanding load carrying capability.

During the TLA signing ceremony, executives from Autoitalia and PVPL welcomed representatives from the BOI and its new dealers from Biñan, Capiz, Dagupan, Dasmariñas, Isabela, Pasay, San Pablo and Tacloban. Autoitalia’s existing dealers include Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Imus, Pampanga, Tagaytay, Taytay and Zamboanga.