When Piaggio launched the Vespa in India recently, many thought the company had over-priced the iconic scooter by a big amount. However, Piaggio does have a plan set in place to boost volumes in the 2-wheeler segment. We have learned from our sources about Piaggio’s plans to launch a scooter which will be positioned to compete against the Suzuki Access/Swish and the Honda Activa. This new scooter will be launched in 2013 and is already on sale in international markets but with a 150cc engine.
Piaggio will be launching the Fly 125cc scooter, which will help the company bring in the volumes in the scooter segment. The Vespa was priced at a premium to create aspirational value for the Piaggio brand. The Italian automaker is following a top-down approach with its scooters. The Piaggio Fly 125 uses telescopic forks at the front and hydraulic shock absorbers with pre-load adjuster at the rear. It has drum brakes all around but a front disc brake will be offered as an option. Power will come in through the same 125cc motor which does duty in the Vespa. The Piaggio Fly 125 will produce around 10 BHP of peak power and 10 Nm of peak torque. While the engine is same as the Vespa, it will not have 3-valves. Mileage will be the strong point of the Piaggio Fly scooter.
We were the first to report about Piaggio’s plans to bring in a 200cc version of the Aprilia RS125 motorcycle. This premium motorcycle will be launched in 2013, rivaling the KTM Duke 200. Piaggio has plans to bring in its own line-up of motorcycles, which will be positioned in the commuter segment. These motorcycles will be brought in only by late-2013 / early-2014. Now we know why Piaggio has setup a capacity of 1.5 lakh units per annum at its Baramati manufacturing facility, which will be doubled next year.
