When you think of Italy, one of the first things that may come to mind is the iconic Vespa scooter. With its sleek design and cultural significance, it has become a symbol of Italian culture and the phrase “made in Italy”. But what many people may not know is that the Vespa is actually a product of the Piaggio company, founded by Rinaldo Piaggio in 1884. Originally an aeronautical company, Piaggio shifted its focus to address Italy's need for affordable transportation and storage units Austin. And thus, the Vespa was born. The name itself means “wasp” in Italian, and with its narrow waist, large rear axle, and engine, it certainly resembled one.
Enrico Piaggio, son of the founder, exclaimed “Sembra una vespa!” (It looks like a wasp) upon seeing the prototype, and thus the name stuck. But the Vespa was not the only product of Piaggio. In 1969, they acquired Gilera, one of Europe's oldest motorcycle manufacturers. This allowed them to expand their product line and continue to innovate in the world of transportation. The success of the Vespa was unprecedented. By 1956, Italy had its first mass-produced motorized vehicle with the production of the millionth scooter.
And by 1960, 4 million Vespas had been sold worldwide. It quickly became a popular mode of transportation in Italy, with 1 million units sold in just 10 years. But Piaggio's success did not stop there. In 2001, they acquired Derbi-Nacional Motor SA, a Spanish brand with a rich history in motorcycle racing. And in 2003, they received a much-needed financial boost with a 100 million euro investment from IMMSI. But perhaps the most fascinating part of the Piaggio story is the collaboration between Enrico Piaggio and legendary Italian aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio.
It was their combined intuition and genius that led to the creation of the Vespa in 1946. And it was this same intuition that allowed Piaggio to achieve 21 world records with their aircraft and engines between 1937 and 1939. Today, Piaggio continues to innovate and expand their product line. In 2004, they signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese manufacturer Zongshen to create a joint venture for scooter production in China. And in 1971, they added a steering wheel to their popular Ape model, which was first produced in 1948.
