Piaggio Plans for Continued Growth

Reader Contribution by Mc Staff
Published on March 19, 2012
article image

Piaggio Group Americas executives Marco Lambri, Miguel Martinez and Miguel Galluzzi with Piaggio’s new Vespa 946 scooter and Moto Guzzi California 1400. The 1400 is scheduled to arrive here in December 2012.

NEW YORK, March 19, 2012 – Italian manufacturer Piaggio Group, represented in the U.S. by its subsidiary Piaggio Group Americas (PGA), gave North American dealers a clear vision of plans for global and market growth during the company’s 2012 dealer meeting in Hollywood, FL. Led by Piaggio Group Chairman and CEO Roberto Colaninno and Piaggio Group Americas President and CEO Miguel Martinez, as well as Piaggio Group executives from engineering, design, racing and marketing divisions, the event, attended by over 300 U.S. and Canadian dealers, included the unveiling of three new production models, four new prototypes and the announcement of a new international Advanced Design Center in Pasadena, California.

In addition to celebrating successes like an increase in scooter segment market share from 27.1 percent in 2010 to almost 30 percent last year, a 25 percent growth in sales of U.S. motorcycles, a 63.8 percent annual increase in total unit shipments and a strong 53 percent increase in revenues, the gathering also included several surprises – such as a special appearance by Aprilia race pilots in the 2012 Superbike World Championship, five-time world champion Max Biaggi and Aprilia Racing teammate Eugene Laverty.

“There’s never been a better time to be a Piaggio dealer – or a customer, for that matter,” said Martinez. “I believe the news and investments we announced for the North American market this past week prove our absolute commitment to bringing award-winning motorcycles and scooters and a best-in-class ownership experience to North American Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa customers.”

The opening of an all-new International Piaggio Group Advanced Design Center in Pasadena, California was one signal of how serious the Piaggio Group is about its leadership role in defining the future of mobility. The new facility will be led by Piaggio Group designer Miguel Galluzzi, whose projects in Italy have included some of the most celebrated motorcycles of the last 20 years, including the Aprilia RSV4, winner of the 2010 Superbike World Championship and the brand-new Moto Guzzi California 1400, scheduled to debut at the end of 2012.

“Setting up a research center in California opens a window on the changes that will be taking place in our society, our way of life and in urban and metropolitan mobility models in the next few years,” Colaninno told dealers.

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-880-7567