Piaggio is planning to re-enter the Indian market with the launch of its Vespa scooters. It will roll out its 100cc and 150cc scooters including Vespa scooters in India by end of this year. According to the latest official statement from Roberto colaninno (Chairman), the board of directors of Piaggio and Co. SpA, Piaggio is planning to start manufacturing Vespa scooters in India christened as Vespa LX 125.
Piaggio earlier had a partnership with Bajaj Auto till end of 1971. Its license was not renewed due to government’s erstwhile policies. Later, it entered the market in association with LML Motors but broke up the partnership in 1999 and exited the Indian market. Since 1971 till today Bajaj had ruled the Indian market with its Chetak model with its most popular slogan ‘Hamara Bajaj.’
Now Piaggio is gearing up to enter the Indian market for the third time as an independent player. In past one decade, Indian scooter market has drastically changed with more preference gearing up for gearless scooters. Bajaj has already declared that it has exited the geared-scooter segment and will concentrate on its bikes. Gearless scooter segment is currently ruled by Honda Activa and geared scooter in India remains untapped.
