September 2021 – In the commercial vehicles sector, for the first six months of 2021, in the Emea area and in the Americas, the Piaggio Group “showed a positive trend (+72.3% volume; + 57.1% turnover), benefiting from the sales launch of the new Porter NP6” (source: www.piaggiogroup.com/en/investor/financial-press-releases).
Piaggio Commercial aims to be the reference partner for all those customers who need a vehicle every day capable of meeting professional and commercial mobility needs, providing a range of commercial vehicle products characterised by small size, agility, high cargo capacity, and eco-compatibility: Porter NP6 – “The city truck” – is the huge protagonist of the new Piaggio Commercial range, the Piaggio Group division headed up by engineer Vincenzo Scardigno, Executive Vice President of the 3-4 Wheeler EMEA and Emerging Markets for the Piaggio Group (in the photo below with Porter NP6) and proponent of the expansion of the sales and service network for commercial vehicles by Piaggio in Europe.
Designed to excel in working in urban environments, but perfectly in its element outside the city as well, Porter NP6 is the only vehicle of its kind that simultaneously guarantees outstanding cargo capacity, reduced size, extreme agility, and eco-friendly engines.
FIND OUT MORE: commercial.piaggio.com/en_EN/engines
commercial.piaggio.com/en_EN/welcome-aboard
commercial.piaggio.com/en_EN/equipment
PORTER NP6 RANGE, FROM THE LEFT: CHASSIS, TILT DECK, FIXED DECK.
INFO: commercial.piaggio.com/en_EN
What’s more, not only is Porter NP6 efficient in terms of performance, but it is also competitive in terms of costs, both purchase and operation.
And these are things that the new dealers who have recently joined Piaggio Commercial’s vast European network know well. These include the companies interviewed here, with the same questions for all. Here are their responses.
INTERVIEW WITH: AUTO ELLENRIEDER (GERMANY); UNI-TRUCK SP (PIAGGIO COMMERCIAL IMPORTER IN POLAND) AND TENTORI VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI SPA (ITALY).
Presentation of your companies: how long have you been operating, in which sectors and markets?
AUTO ELLENRIEDER: “Mr. Wenzel Ellenrieder founded a car workshop in Linden-Stöttwang (Bavaria) in 1987. The company grew steadily and soon vehicles were sold and employees hired. The Piaggio Group began sales of Piaggio Ape at the beginning of 2001. In 2006, the new and larger business premises were moved into the neighboring town of Dösingen. Sales of new and used cars continued to grow, as did the number of employees. In 2019, the site was extended to about 9000 m and an additional workshop was built. Both sons – Markus and Thomas - have also been working in the company for several years and have passed the motor vehicle master test. Today we have 20 employees and we create 17 million € turnover.”
In Germany: owner and founder of Auto Ellenrieder, Wenzel Ellenrieder (on the right in the photo), in the show room with the new Porter NP6, along with his son Markus Ellenrieder who works in the family business along with his brother Thomas; their company is based in Dösingen.
UNI-TRUCK SP: “The company Uni-truck sp.zoo was founded in 1996. This year it is celebrating its 25th anniversary. We employ over 350 employees. It is one of the largest Iveco and Fiat dealerships. From October 2020, it is the exclusive importer of the Piaggio Commercial brand in Poland. We sell Piaggio Porter NP6 cars in 3 regions in Poland. Dolnośląski, Łódzki and Mazowiecki regions.”
In Poland: Porter NP6 in the Uni-Truck Sp. zo.o. show room in Wroclaw, Piaggio Commercial importer. This year they are celebrating 25 years of operations. Congratulations!
TENTORI VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI SPA: “TENTORI VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI SPA boasts half a century of experience in the sale of industrial and commercial vehicles and is specialised in the distribution of vehicles from IVECO, FIAT PROFESSIONAL, PIAGGIO, SCHMITZ CARGOBULL trailers and semi-trailers, and quality used vehicles. Our branches. The main branch is in Molteno (Lecco) just off SS36, and it occupies a total area of 35,000 m2, including 15,000 indoors, whereas the new branch is located in Monza, at Via Boccioni 1 (a side street off Viale delle Industrie). TENTORI operates in the provinces of COMO, LECCO, MONZA and BRIANZA, and partially in the province of MILANO NORD with 3 operational branches and a staff of 150 people, making it the most important haulage organisation in Lombardy.”
In Italy: the Tentori Veicoli Industriali S.p.a. main branch in Molteno (Lecco), Lombardy region, North of Italy.
Why the choice to become a Piaggio Commercial dealer partner?
AUTO ELLENRIEDER: “After the sales of Piaggio Ape and Porter continued to develop positively in our company the decision to become a Piaggio Professional dealer this was a logical step.”
UNI-TRUCK SP: “Piaggio is a well-known and respected company in the world, it offers vehicles that have not been on the Polish market. as a company specializing in the sale of Commercial vehicles, we noticed the need to develop towards eco-friendly city cars. We want to follow market trends and meet customer expectations. The dynamic development of the company and cooperation with Piaggio allows us to meet customer expectations and expand the product offer.”
In Poland: Uni-Truck Sp. zo.o, Porter NP6 tipper deck version with special equipment package.
TENTORI VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI SPA: “We believe that that new NP6 product has the potential to be a winner in its segment and the new bifuel engines are currently the best choices in terms of innovation, sustainability and efficiency.”
What features of the new Porter NP6 do you like the most?
AUTO ELLENRIEDER: “We appreciate the opportunity to offer a modern, compact commercial vehicle in a niche market.”
Deutschland: father and son, Wenzel and Markus Ellenrieder, and Piaggio Porter NP6.
UNI-TRUCK SP: “The main advantage is the load capacity. The built-in chassis can use up to 1600 kg. Another advantage is the cost of operation. The car drives 100 km for PLN 7 when fueled with CNG gas and PLN 25 when fueled with LPG. You will admit that this is a cheap solution at the current petrol / diesel prices.
The NP6 is the only delivery vehicle to have electric folding mirrors. At speeds of up to 30 km / h, it can move in dense urban buildings with complex mirrors, which allows it to fit practically in every narrow entrance. In addition, we offer a 2-year warranty with no mileage limit and factory assistance throughout Poland is included in the price of the vehicle.
Piaggio Porter NP6 meets the requirements of the Act on electromobility, thanks to which it can work in the so-called Green zones.”
TENTORI VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI SPA: “It is the best product in its segment and the best choice for urban transport.”
In Germany: owner and founder of Auto Ellenrieder, Wenzel Ellenrieder (on the left in the photo), with a row of Porter NP6 units, along with his son, Markus Ellenrieder, in the expanded Dösingen branch in Bavaria.
What were some of the first comments you received from your customers, partners and staff about the new Porter NP6?
AUTO ELLENRIEDER: “On the NP6, customers appreciate the combination of a compact external size and a lot of loading space with the comfort of modern vehicles (air conditioning, airbags, central locking system, radio, folding mirror) and more space in the cab.”
UNI-TRUCK SP: “The first cars went to Polish customers. The customers are satisfied. cars meet their expectations. They are small, maneuverable and economical. The main advantage for customers is also their quick availability.”
TENTORI VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI SPA: “Comfort has been significantly improved as compared to the previous Porter generation.”
Which categories of customers do you primarily target with the new Porter in your reference markets?
AUTO ELLENRIEDER: “With the NP6 we mainly address two target groups: communities and cities as well as commercial establishments.”
UNI-TRUCK SP: “Our offer is addressed to all customers who provide their services in the city and wherever the small size of the car, but high payload and agility are essential. These are both distribution, municipal, courier, agricultural, orchard companies, as well as companies from the funeral and stone sector. Wherever other car manufacturers currently have a problem with access and unloading, Piaggio Porter will do great. Please remember that the width of the cabin is 1.64 m and the maximum length is 5.3 m.
Currently, I do not see a direct competitor on the Polish market with an eco-friendly vehicle with small dimensions, high payload and low operating costs.”
TENTORI VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI SPA: “Landscaping, construction companies, couriers.”
From the left, Wenzel and Markus Ellenrieder (Auto Ellenrieder, Germany); Maciej Czekaj (Brand Manager for Piaggio Commercial vehicles, Uni-Truck Sp.zo.o, Poland); Federico Tentori (Tentori Veicoli Industriali S.p.a., Italy).
FINAL COMMENTS. AUTO ELLENRIEDER: “We would like to ask Piaggio to extend the model range of the NP6 for example double cab, glas/blind van, an electric version. Furthermore, the topic of quality and spare parts supply should be taken very seriously.”
Germany. Wenzel and Markus Ellenrieder, with Piaggio Porter NP6 in tipper deck version.
UNI-TRUCK SP: “We are pleased that we can cooperate with Piaggio and represent the brand in Poland as an importer. I am convinced that winning the market is only a matter of time. Customers must get to know the new brand of commercial vehicles, appreciate its advantages in order to be able to use them in their work. The most important thing is that our cars can deliver goods wherever other cars do not fit or have difficulties with delivery.”
Piaggio Commercial website: commercial.piaggio.com/en_EN
We wish to thank the direction/managers and teams of the companies interviewed, as well as the Piaggio Commercial teams of the Italian headquarters and the Selling Agency in Germany, who collaborated in the creation of this article.
ALSO READ THE SECOND EDITION OF THE SPECIAL REPORT ON THE NEW PIAGGIO COMMERCIAL EUROPEAN DEALERS:
wide.piaggiogroup.com/en/articles/markets/the-trip-around-europe-to-visit-the-new-piaggio-commercial-partners-continues
ALSO READ THE FIRST EDITION OF THE SPECIAL REPORT ON THE NEW PIAGGIO COMMERCIAL EUROPEAN DEALERS:
wide.piaggiogroup.com/en/articles/markets/a-trip-around-europe-to-visit-the-new-piaggio-commercial-partners
