Editing Auto rickshaw (section)

== Origin ==
[[File:Lambretta FD (2017-06-25 Sp).jpg|thumb|A 1952 Lambretta FD sold as open top model]]
[[File:1957 Daihatsu Midget 01.jpg|thumb|[[Daihatsu Midget]] Model DKA]]
[[File:1960 Lambretta Li 175 Series 2.jpg|thumb|1960 Lambretta Li 175 Series 2]]
[[File:RAR soldier helps push-start a Lambretta at Nui Dat.jpg|thumb|RAR soldier helps push-start a Lambretta at Nui Dat]]
In the 1930s Japan, which was the most industrialized country in Asia at the time, encouraged the development of motorized vehicles including less expensive three-wheeled vehicles based on motorcycles. The [[Mazda-Go]], a 3-wheel open "truck" released in 1931,<ref name=MZhist>{{cite web |url=https://www.mazda.com/en/innovation/stories/greatcar/mazda-go/ |title=Great Cars of Mazda: Mazda-Go 3-wheeled Trucks (1931〜) |publisher=Mazda Motor Corporation |archive-date=2019-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124028/https://www.mazda.com/en/innovation/stories/greatcar/mazda-go/}}</ref> is often considered the first of what became auto rickshaws. Later that decade the Japanese [[Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (Japan)|Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Japan]] distributed about 20,000 used three-wheelers to Southeast Asia as part of efforts to expand its influence in the region.<ref>[http://www.takaharabooks.com/item/0000810000000037.asp ミゼット物語 木村信之 著 高原書店](Nobuyuki Kimura "Story of Midget", Published on 10 November 1998)</ref><ref>Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. public relations section</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2007-11-19 |script-title=ja:NPOみらいネットワーク寄附講座、ホテル観光学科の学生に日タイ関係をピーアール 日本での就職機会に関心 |url=http://www.bangkokshuho.com/archive/2007/weekly/07archives/keizai1297.htm#11 |newspaper=Bangkok Shuho |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430140101/http://www.bangkokshuho.com/archive/2007/weekly/07archives/keizai1297.htm#11 |archive-date=2009-04-30}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230803040455/https://site.thaiembassy.jp/ /index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=321:2009-11-30-05-34-59&catid=54:2009-09-09-07-52-31&Itemid=232 Royal Thai Embassy Tokyo, Japan] 日本生まれのタイのトゥクトゥク (Tuk-Tuk of Thailand was born in Japan.)</ref> They became popular in some areas, especially Thailand, which developed local manufacturing and design after the Japanese government abolished the three-wheeler license in Japan in 1965.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.desiam.com/blogs/post/Tuk-Tuk |title=Tuk-Tuk, Thailand's most notorious mode of transport - deSIAM |website=www.desiam.com |access-date=2020-03-26 |archive-date=2020-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923223106/https://www.desiam.com/blogs/post/Tuk-Tuk |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Production in Southeast Asia started from the [[knock-down kit|knockdown]] production of the [[Daihatsu Midget]], which was introduced in 1959.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://route0030.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-147.html |title=【ダイハツ ミゼット DKA / DSA型】 幌付3輪スクーター型トラック 旧式商用車図鑑 |website=route0030.blog.fc2.com}}</ref> An exception is the indigenously modified Philippine tricycle, which originates from the [[Rikuo Motorcycle|Rikuo]] [[Type 97 motorcycle]] with a sidecar, introduced to the islands in 1941 by the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] during World War II.<ref name="brits"/>

In Europe, [[Corradino D'Ascanio]], aircraft designer at [[Piaggio]] and inventor of the [[Piaggio Vespa|Vespa]], came up with the idea of building a light three-wheeled commercial vehicle to power Italy's post-war [[economic reconstruction]]. The [[Piaggio Ape]] followed suit in 1947. Also [[Innocenti]] another leading Scooter manucacturer came up with their [[Lambretta]] line of three wheelers in cargo version, later adopted as passenger version by its Indian colloborator [[Automobile Products of India]].