It is an important year for Piaggio as they celebrate their 140th anniversary. Piaggio in 1884 and has since owned the Vespa brand, among others. So, Piaggio called upon Vespa to create the Vespa 140th of Piaggio edition.
To commemorate the momentous achievement, only 140 will be built, making it the rarest Vespa. It is only available for ordering between 18 to 21 April, coinciding with the Vespa World Days 2024 Rally.
The Vespa 140th of Piaggio is resplendent in a white and blue theme, as an homage to Piaggio’s corporate colours. Several other components also use these colours such as the seat and wheels.
As you can see, it is based on the Vespa GTV, which has a 300 HPE single-cylinder, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine. It produces 24 hp, making it the most powerful Vespa engine.
Apart from that, it has a digital display, keyless start, traction control, ABS, and connectivity via the Vespa MIA app.
Each unit has a numbered celebratory plate on the rear shield, with an enhanced 140-years logo.
There is no pricing on the bike, though, but you can check it in on the Vespa website.
Didi Group has officially opened the doors to MotoPlex Sungai Buloh, the latest addition to its network of premium showrooms featuring Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, and Moto Guzzi brands.
Located in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, MotoPlex Sungai Buloh is designed as a dynamic concept store offering a wide range of products and customer services for motorcycle enthusiasts.
Managed by Welly Sungai Buloh Sdn Bhd, the official dealer appointed by Didi Group, MotoPlex Sungai Buloh embodies Italian aesthetics across its 3,400 sqf space, with a showroom area of 2,200 sqf and a service center spanning 1,200 sqf.
The service center boasts state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and a team of skilled technicians committed to delivering superior customer service and access to high-quality spare parts.
For Didi Group, the launch of MotoPlex Sungai Buloh signifies a significant milestone as the fourth MotoPlex establishment in Malaysia. Mr. Goh Kian Sin, Managing Director of Didi Group, expressed pride in hosting an exclusive meet & greet event with the official Aprilia Racing Team riders coinciding with the MotoGP Malaysian Winter Test held at the Sepang International Circuit. The event offers Aprilia club members a chance to interact with the racers and team members up close.
MotoPlex stores serve as hubs for Italian biking enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive overview of the Piaggio Group’s portfolio and reflecting the company’s innovative vision. Mr. Goh Kian Sin reiterated the group’s commitment to enhancing its presence in Malaysia through MotoPlex, which consolidates Piaggio’s iconic brands under one roof, providing customers with a holistic Italian two-wheel experience.
Mr. Ngo Yoke Kwang, Director of Welly Sungai Buloh, emphasized MotoPlex Sungai Buloh’s role in delivering a captivating motorcycling experience infused with Italian authenticity. With a sprawling 34,000 sqf concept store equipped with a service area staffed by highly skilled technicians, MotoPlex Sungai Buloh aims to redefine individual mobility and freedom through its legendary brands known for style, technology, and heritage.
MotoPlex Sungai Buloh represents Didi Group’s commitment to offering a unique retail experience for motorcycle enthusiasts while strengthening its foothold in Malaysia’s automotive market.
Vespa stands as an unequivocal icon in every conceivable aspect. Its significance is not only rooted in its timeless design but also in the enduring legacy of the company, which has been in existence since 1946. Remarkably, the design of Vespa scooters has remained largely unchanged since that pivotal year.
The brand’s value has experienced a remarkable surge, witnessing a staggering 19% growth in just the past two years.
According to Interbrand, a global brand consulting organisation, Vespa has surpassed the 1 billion Euro mark, asserting its dominance as the primary contributor to the Piaggio Group’s financial success, boasting a substantial 30% increase in turnover as of 2022.
Under the adept stewardship of Piaggio over the last few decades, Vespa has adhered to a strategic approach, blending significant under-the-surface technical enhancements with well-considered stylistic refinements.
This approach has been applied judiciously to both the high-end GTS and the more compact Primavera models.
Consequently, Vespa has not only retained its classic, nostalgic allure but has also fortified its reputation for functionality, reliability, and safety.
Recently, Vespa’s iconic status received formal recognition from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), affirming that the design of Vespa is unmistakable and cannot be replicated, making it instantly recognizable across Europe.
This judicial pronouncement concluded a decade-long legal dispute between the Piaggio Group and the Chinese Zhejiang Zhongneng Industry Group. The latter had introduced the ZNEN scooter, an unabashed copy of the Vespa, leading to a protracted legal battle.
In 2014, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) acknowledged the unique design of Vespa and granted it trademark status. However, in 2018, Zhejiang Zhongneng Industry Group managed to overturn the Vespa trademark in court, leveraging their strengthened position in Europe after acquiring the Moto Morini brand.
Subsequently, the EUIPO reversed its earlier decision, allowing the Chinese company to freely manufacture and sell its ZNEN scooter (seen below).
In response, Piaggio Vespa mounted a vigorous defense, seeking recourse from the CJEU to reinstate Vespa’s design as a trademark. The EU court sided with Piaggio Vespa, rendering the ZNEN scooter ineligible for import and sale anywhere in Europe.
This legal victory echoed a similar triumph for Vespa against another Chinese imitator in 2020, Chen Huang (below), who had also produced replicas of the iconic Vespa.
These successes underscore Vespa’s commitment to safeguarding its distinctive identity, a stance that may extend to safeguarding its iconic uniqueness in other global markets.
Aprilia is already working towards a new future after unveiling its first electric project, called Electrica.
Aprilia revealed the company’s first electric motorcycle at EICMA.
The Electrica is pioneered by the Piaggio Group, experienced in electric power.
While it took a while for Aprilia to materialise its first electric motorcycle, the Italian firm already has the upper hand in the game.
This is because Aprilia’s parent company, the Piaggio Group, began working with electric power almost 50 years ago and produced the world’s first hybrid scooter, the MP3 Hybrid, back in 2009.
“The Electrica project uses all the know-how made available from the Piaggio Group, which has been working on electric propulsion since 1975, having introduced a long line of vehicles [over the years] such as the MP3 Hybrid, the first hybrid scooter in the world,” said Aprilia in a statement.
Aprilia also has a clear objective for the Electric project, an electric motorcycle for the younger riders of the future.
That said, Electric will not only be a personal transport to get around while adhering to the global zero emission initiative but also fun to pilot.
“The Electrica project is a new concept – a lightweight, zero emissions bike with a fun and satisfying ride to provide maximum freedom and riding pleasure even for use in the cities of the future.
Therefore, the fun and freedom of riding will not be lacking, and they will always be the cardinal principle at the base of all vehicles built by Aprilia,” added Aprilia.
Although the Electrica offers something that we have never seen before out of the Noale factory, some aspect is associated with Aprilia, mainly the front bodywork around the triple clamp that is reminiscent of the Tuono and the RSV4-inspired tail.
Nevertheless, the Electrica is noticeably smaller to allow better accessibility. According to Aprilia, the Electrica will promote an easier transition from scooters to full-size motorcycles.
Meanwhile, other notable features of the Electric include an electronic riding assist and a digital LCD display.
Pengeluar motosikal Itali, Piaggio Group memilih Indonesia sebagai destinasi ketiga di rantau Asia untuk membuka kilang pemasangan.
*Aprilia
Kilang serba baharu itu dilaporkan akan beroperasi sepenuhnya pada separuh kedua tahun ini.
Menjadikan Jakarta sebagai lokasi pilihan, kilang berkeluasan 55,000 meter itu akan sertai dua kilang lain di Asia, Vin Puch (Vietnam) dan Foshan (China).
*Vespa
Perkembangan terbaru oleh Piaggio Group itu dilihat akan terus mengukuhkan jenama Itali itu bukan sahaja di Asia malah Indonesia yang sebelum ini mencatatkan kenaikan jualan lebih 61 peratus bagi 2021.
Untuk rekod, Piaggio Group mempunyai 50 premis jualan di republik itu di samping empat Motoplex yang terletak di Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya dan Jogjakarta.
*Moto Guzzi
Motoplex merupakan pusat pameran yang menawarkan perkhidmatan dan servis serba lengkap bagi jenama Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa dan Piaggio.
Pemilihan Indonesia sebagai destinasi terbaru adalah satu perangkaan yang relevan susulan negara itu merupakan pasaran global terbesar motosikal selepas India dan China.
Kilang terbaru itu juga akan bertanggungjawab untuk memasang beberapa model terbaru Piaggio Group termasuk skuter ADV, Aprilia SRT 200.
Vespa is among the motorcycle and scooter brands currently under the wing of Piaggio Group, Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer.
While the scooter brand sits alongside Aprilia and Moto Guzzi in Piaggio, Vespa is identified as a significant asset in the company’s overall portfolio.
Piaggio has recently begun to analyse Vespa’s substantial brand value in the company, and the result is outstanding. According to the findings by Interbrand (a significant brand consultancy), the Vespa brand is now worth EUR906 million (RM4.3 billion).
The research was done by taking into account Vespa’s unique brand valuation, including a set of resources, market data, and quantitative studies across ten key markets worldwide.
“Vespa is an icon of style: its uniqueness makes it one of the most admired and desired brands, belonging to the premium space as well as fashion and lifestyle brands.
“For this reason, we must begin to benchmark it against other global brands beyond pure mobility.
“That’s why we have asked Interbrand, the world’s leading brand consultancy, to determine and analyse the financial value of the Vespa brand. This is not a finishing line, but simply a new starting point as we continue to build the future of Vespa,” said Michele Colaninno, Piaggio Group Board Director for Strategy, Products & Innovation.
According to Interbrand, Vespa’s distinctiveness by sticking to its tradition was significant in strengthening the brand.
While other motorcycle brand demands excitement sportiness with a modern and futuristic touch, Vespa, on the other hand, focuses on self-expression and enjoyment.
For the motorcycle enthusiast, the Vespa brand represents the Italian culture and is an inspiration to people worldwide. As we like to say, Vespa isn’t just a motorcycle; it is a lifestyle.
The collaboration between Piaggio and Zongshen has proven fruitful in China.
Zongshen is currently Piaggio biggest motorcycle partner in China and has since helped the Italian brand expansion in Asia by assembling the company motorcycle range including Aprilia.
In the latest report by Chinese publication Mega China Motor, Piaggio and Zongshen have worked together in developing a new 150cc scooter engine that could soon make its way to Asia and Europe.
The new powerplant is designated the G150S and makes 15hp and 14.9Nm.
Interestingly, the G150S is compatible with a host of modern features including keyless starts, silent start and idling stop, similar to the one available on the Yamaha NMax and Honda Vario.
The new motor is likely to be introduced in upcoming scooters scheduled for launch in 2022.
Piaggio Group mengesahkan bakal terlibat dengan pameran motosikal terbesar dunia EICM 2021 yang akan berlangsung di Milan, November ini.
Pengumuman itu menyaksikan jenama seperti Aprilia, Moto Guzzi dan Vespa akan turut serta menghangatkan acara terbesar motosikal dunia itu bersama-sama beberapa jenama lain yang telah pun mengesahkan penyertaan sebelum ini.
EICM 2021 dijangka menjadi tumpuan hangat selepas edisi 2020 dibatalkan ekoran pandemik Covid-19.
Bagaimanapun, dengan kekangan pergerakan telah pun dilonggarkan, EICMA 2021 akan berjalan seperti dijadualkan yang sebelum ini telah pun mengesahkan beberapa barisan jenama besar antaranya, Triumph Motorcycles, Honda, Yamaha, Fantic, Motori Minarelli, Kymco, MV Agusta, Royal Enfield dan Benelli.
Seperti edisi sebelum ini, EICMA bakal menjadi platform bagi beberapa jenama besar untuk mempamerkan model baharu termasuk jentera konsep yang akan dipasarkan kelak.
Italian automaker Piaggio Group wants to strengthen the company brand in India and international markets by introducing a mid-size motorcycle.
According to reports, the company plans to produce a 300cc motorcycle that will carry the Aprilia brand name.
While it remains to be seen what type of bikes would carry the 300cc engine, Chairman and Managing Director of Piaggio India, Diego Graffi, confirms the new plan.
“It will be a mid-sized bike of above 300-cc engine capacity and will be under the Aprilia brand.
“It will not only be for the India market but also for global markets, and expected to come out in 2-3 years,” he said.
Interestingly, Graffi expressed his confidence that the factory in India can produce and export a product for the international markets.
Motosikal adventure Moto Guzzi, V85 TT mendapat beberapa kemas kini termasuk pilihan warna baharu bagi tahun 2021.
Menurut Moto Guzzi, kemas kini tersebut dilaksanakan selepas mengambil kira maklum balas daripada pemilik motosikal itu sebelum ini.
Enjin 853cc V-Twin (90 darjah) kini menghasilkan lebih tork pada RPM rendah hasil daripada meningkatkan timing cam pushroad dan rocker manakala rim spoke (tubeless) terbaru ini adalah 1.5 kilogram lebih ringan.
Antara ciri menarik lain ditawarkan:
ABS
Ride-by-wire
Cruise control
Paparan TFT
Sistem elektronik juga dipertingkat dengan dua mod tunggangan diperkenalkan, Sport dan Custom sertai mod sedia ada, Strada, Pioggia dan Off-Road.
Selain itu, Moto Guzzi turut perkenalkan pilihan grafik Nero Etna, Giallo Mojave dan Ross Uluru.
Sementara itu, varian tertinggi, V85 TT Travel, kini dilengkapi dengan penghadang angin Touring, pannier, lampu LED, heated grip serta platform Multimedia Moto Guzzi MIA.
