Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio has presented Pope Benedict with two new specially made three wheeled vehicles. The funky, light weight transport vehicles are called "ape" in Italian, which means "bee" - probably for the loud buzzing noise the tiny engine makes as it putters along, CNS reports.
Piaggio's CEO and the head of its Indian subsidiary presented the pope with the two white Ape-Calessino models that were made in India. The gift was made to mark the 60th anniversary of the first Piaggio ape to come off the assembly line.
The Piaggio Ape Calessino vehicles carry special insignia of the Vatican city and are white in colour in line with papal requirements.
"These vehicles were given a complete look and feel of a Popemobile by putting a white coloured hood, white tyres, seat upholstery, and white body paint. The insignia on the doors is specially handcrafted. The entire vehicle was given a complete unique decor to suit the aura of His Holiness," Ravi Chopra, CMD of Piaggio's Indian subsidiary, told re.porters.
"Just as a golf cart, they can be used by the Pope, may be for moving in the garden or some other purpose," he said.
According to Wikipedia, the Piaggio Ape is a three wheeled light commercial vehicle built by Piaggio. The Ape was first built in 1948. The vehicles comes in various configurations such as van, pickup and autorickshaw or Tuk-tuk). The Ape is produced in India by Piaggio India, and a similar vehicle is manufactured by Bajaj Auto.
The Ape is a common sight in Italy where its compact size allows it to navigate narrow city streets and park virtually anywhere. It's also often seen at the roadside where the load area is used as an impromptu market stall by farmers. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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