April 26: Piaggio Vehicles, the wholly owned Indian subsidiary of the Piaggio Group of Italy, has announced the launch of its original iconic Vespa in India. Showcased as a premium lifestyle scooter, the Vespa will initially be available at exclusive showrooms across 35 major cities.
Roberto Colaninno, chairman and CEO, Piaggio Group, said: “The Vespa is a loved and revered brand globally and we are very excited to launch the original Vespa in India. The Vespa is not only our most famous and bestselling product around the world, it is also our business card, our technological flagship. I am optimistic about the India growth story.”
Ravi Chopra, chairman and managing director, Piaggio Vehicles (India), added: “There is no better time to be in the Indian two-wheeler scooter space with evolved consumers looking for lifestyle options that go beyond mobility. I am confident, fashion and style-conscious consumers will make Vespa a resounding success in India”.
The Indian-built and button-started Vespa LX125 comes with a 125cc, carburetted, three-valve engine. Peak power output is 10.06bhp at 7500rpm. Piaggio claims this new-generation global engine is eco-friendly and highly fuel efficient and will also be produced in Piaggio’s other manufacturing facilities in Europe and Asia.
The Vespa LX125 is priced at a hefty Rs 66,661 (ex-showroom, Pune), which could prove to be its undoing as the sticker price is a massive premium over many established Indian rivals.
Piaggio India has set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for production of the Vespa at Baramati in Maharashtra. The plant inauguration and product rollout is scheduled for April 28.