If you're glad that the Vespa has been launched in India, you'll be even more happy to know that Piaggio has also set up a Vespa plant in the country where the scooters will now be manufactured.
Piaggio's new plant is located in Baramati, Maharashtra and has already seen an investment of Rs 10 billion. The factory has an initial production capacity of 150,000 units a year, and the company plans on doubling the production capacity by mid-2013.
The plant inauguration ceremony was attended by Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Cooperation, Praful Patel, Union Minister for Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises, Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra and Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha; Roberto Colaninno, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, was present at this historic moment along with the Piaggio top management team.
Speaking at the event, Mr Colaninno said: 'It is a historic and proud moment for the Piaggio Group that lays the foundation for us to be a formidable automotive force in India. The investment in Baramati is part of our strategic plan, which sees India as a significant destination in our growth trajectory.' He further added, 'The parent company has transferred the latest generation product, process and manufacturing technology to the Indian Vespa plant. The Indian supervisory and managerial staff has extensively worked with their counterparts in Italy to ensure that the standards of quality and reliability are maintained and productivity is enhanced.'
