Auto Rickshaw
A HONKING ABOMINATION TO BE OUR SALVATION?
The auto rickshaw is set to enter the mass market as its production soars
The economic growth in the Third World since the beginning of the 21st century has been inexorable. It has fuelled a stronger demand for a large range of goods; such as electronics, meat and fuel, as well as many services; such as healthcare, financial planning and legal advice. Among these items is the auto rickshaw, also known as the three-wheeler or the motorised rickshaw. It has taken the world by storm and has become an important factor in the huge transport industry, especially in under-developed countries.
Its origins date back to 1957, when it was first introduced in Japan by the automaker Daihatsu. Its main purpose was to help merchants and small businesses transport and deliver products, tools and the like in densely populated areas. Since then, its many uses have made it a staple in Third World countries, and its numbers have soared. Egypt, a poor country with a low GDP per capita of 6,910$ at purchasing power parity (PPP) and a population of 83.7m, according to
The Economist, produces 60 000 auto rickshaws annually. In India, the number is 830 000.
The auto rickshaw boasts many advantages in the under-developed world that would be irrelevant in
North America and almost all of Europe. Firstly, it is very cheap for various reasons. Prices may range from
500$ to 3000$ depending on location of production, quality, size and passenger capacity. Also, it consumes less fuel than cars and little more than motorbikes. Plus, repair costs are low compared to cars'. The build of the auto rickshaw is much simpler and it is less expensive and time-consuming for car mechanics to repair. In addition, it is common for users to purchase spare parts to fix their own rickshaws, which is not common practice for car users in rich countries. Secondly, it can host from one to as many as ten passengers, even more than a standard car, so the size of the vehicle is
The auto rickshaw is set to enter the mass market as its production soars
The economic growth in the Third World since the beginning of the 21st century has been inexorable. It has fuelled a stronger demand for a large range of goods; such as electronics, meat and fuel, as well as many services; such as healthcare, financial planning and legal advice. Among these items is the auto rickshaw, also known as the three-wheeler or the motorised rickshaw. It has taken the world by storm and has become an important factor in the huge transport industry, especially in under-developed countries.
Its origins date back to 1957, when it was first introduced in Japan by the automaker Daihatsu. Its main purpose was to help merchants and small businesses transport and deliver products, tools and the like in densely populated areas. Since then, its many uses have made it a staple in Third World countries, and its numbers have soared. Egypt, a poor country with a low GDP per capita of 6,910$ at purchasing power parity (PPP) and a population of 83.7m, according to
The Economist, produces 60 000 auto rickshaws annually. In India, the number is 830 000.
The auto rickshaw boasts many advantages in the under-developed world that would be irrelevant in
North America and almost all of Europe. Firstly, it is very cheap for various reasons. Prices may range from
500$ to 3000$ depending on location of production, quality, size and passenger capacity. Also, it consumes less fuel than cars and little more than motorbikes. Plus, repair costs are low compared to cars'. The build of the auto rickshaw is much simpler and it is less expensive and time-consuming for car mechanics to repair. In addition, it is common for users to purchase spare parts to fix their own rickshaws, which is not common practice for car users in rich countries. Secondly, it can host from one to as many as ten passengers, even more than a standard car, so the size of the vehicle is