Also present at the event were Mr. Praful Patel, Union Minister for Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises, Mr. Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra and Mrs. Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha; Mr. Roberto Colaninno, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Heading over to the plant, it is a Modular construction which leaves scope for expansion in the future. The company built this plant in approximately half of the total area it acquired. This year the capacity remains at 1,50,000 units but by the middle of next year, it will be doubled to 3,00,000 units.

The Vespa LX will be 100% locally manufactured and the engine will also be produced locally.

The plant directly employs 3,000 people and with a dealer network of 50 dealers in 35 cities, it sure brings in a lot more employment opportunities.

Below are the pictures from the inauguration of the plant and the assembly plant.

Vespa Baramati Manufacturing Plant inauguration Image Slideshow

[can't see the slideshow? Head over to the Flickr page for direct viewing]

Piaggio claims the Vespa LX 125 is all about iconic style, superior comfort, unmatched safety, great quality and reliability and an even greater user experience. The Vespa is the two wheeler counterpart of the Fiat 500, Mini Cooper, Porsche 911 or the VW Beetle.

With over 17 million vehicles sold till date, Vespa is the best selling brand owned by Piaggio. It’s the highest selling two-wheeler in the whole of Europe. In India, there will be over 50 dealerships in over 35 cities to begin with. The initial response has been encouraging as many showrooms have already bagged about 20-25 bookings in just a matter of hours after the launch. The company’s sales target is 12,000 vehicles per month by Oct-Nov this year.

Storage spaces are provided under the seat and in the front. The chrome garnish certainly gives it a more premium look and the attention to detail is simply unmistakable. The appeal, the stance, the colors, the quality, the practicality comes on to you the moment you settle down on the bike.

Vespa LX 125 Technical Specifications

• Engine – 125 CC, 10 PS@7500rpm, 10 Nm@6000rpm, 4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air Cooled.
• Transmission – Continuous Variable Transmission.
• Ignition – Self Kick.
• Electricals – A low maintenance battery, Multi Focal headlamp.
• Suspension – Front – Single-arm with coil spring and dual effect shock absorber
• Rear – Coil spring with dual effect shock absorber.
• Chassis – Monocoque steel high rigidity structure.
• Dimensions – 1770x690x1140 mm
• Wheelbase – 1290mm
• Seat Height – 770mm
• Brakes – Drum brakes (150mm front and 140mm back)
• Tyre Size – 90/100-10 53J
• Fuel Tank Capacity – 8 Liters

Will be available in 6 colours – Monte Bianco – White, Nero Volcano – Black, Giallo Lime – Yellow, Rosso Dragon – Red, Rosso Chianti – Deep Red/Brown and Midnight Blue.

Vespa LX 125 Image Gallery

[can't see the gallery above? Head over to the Flickr page for direct viewing]

Vespa LX 125 Walkaround Video

[can't see the video above? Head over to the Youtube page for direct viewing]

Vespa LX 125 Price update

- Vespa has launched the LX 125 at a price of 66,661 rupees (ex-showroom Maharashtra)

Vespa LX 125 pointers from the launch

• Vespa is the only scooter in the world with a single piece monocoque chassis. Front suspension system has an aircraft derived single sided trailing arm.
• Exclusive accessories and merchandise will be available for Indian customers too.
• Vespa is the bestselling product for Piaggio globally.
• The LX125, Vespa’s first scooter in India, draws power from a single cylinder, three valve, four-stroke engine displacing 125cc. It produces 10.06 PS @ 7,500RPM and 10.6 Nm @ 6,000RPM.
• The 125cc engine is paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission and comes to life either through a push-button or a kick start.
• 1770 x 690 L*B (in mm) – available in 6 colors
• Fuel tank capacity is 8 liters
• To begin with 50 showrooms in 35 cities with an expectation of selling 12k units per month by Oct-Nov 2012

Vespa LX125 brochure scan

Vespa LX 125 Official Photographs

Stay tuned to IndianMotosBlog.com for more details!

Given the highly competitive nature of the Indian two-wheeler market, it will be interesting to find out how the Italian manufacturer creates its own market space.

Vespa had been licensed by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A to Bajaj Auto. in the 60′s. But due to the privatization programs of Indira Gandhi’s regime, the collaboration was cut short in 1971. After a hiatus of 12 years, Piaggio brought back the Vespa brand to India in 1983 in association with LML Motors, a large parts supplier for Piaggio.

Aprilia 125cc Motorcycle

As a result of some organizational problems, a dispute broke between the Piaggio management and the LML management. The partnership ceased after LML bought back the shares of the Italian company in the coalition. Now let us find out whats in store from Piaggio for the Indian customers in its third coming.

According to NDTV Profit, Piaggio will be launching both the Vespa and the Aprilia brands in India.

• While the scooters are expected by Jan-Mar 2012, the exact time line for the launch of the Aprilia RSV4 is not known.
• The first among the scooters will be the Vespa LX125 which will be launched at the Auto Expo 2012.
• 150cc and the 200cc scooters are likely to follow the LX125′s entry into the Indian market.
• Alternatively, the company will be working on a new range of scooters, with different styling, catering to different segments and price brackets. These scooters could be sold under a new brand or Piaggio brand.
• The aim for the Vespa brand, starting with the LX125 will be to have a range of 3-5 models by 2014.
• While all this happens, the Aprilia models will be imported and possibly, a 125cc motorcycle will be assembled at the two-wheeler plant being set-up by the company.
• India specific motorcycles could be developed and launched by 2013.

While the speculations about a possible tie-up with the Hero Group is rife, the company has denied it asserting that it wants to grow on its own. The current focus of the company is to build the supplier base and launch different models.

By 2015, the company is expected to expand its portfolio ranging from scooters to superbikes to cruisers to off-road bikes and spread across five significant brands.

If it all happens, Piaggio will provide a stiff competition to all the manufacturers operating in India. And probably, that would be the first time since Jawa, a European manufacturer will be in the entire scheme of things – from entry-level scooters to superbikes in the Indian motorcycle industry.

It is miniaturized version of the classic Vespa which is handcrafted and carefully constructed of welded steel. The Vespa symbolizes all things Italian for me – classic, cool and artistic. In fact my first ride of a 2 wheeler was a Vespa and I loved it!

If you didn’t know, Vespa is making a comeback in India in 2012 with its LX 125 scooter. This is the brand’s third innings and what better way than to get one of these and welcome the Italians, who know a thing or two about making graceful scooters, into our country!

So if you are as bonkers as me for a true Italian classic, this could be yours in just 30 euros (approx Rs 1800). Now where is my credit card…

Head over to Robo steel to see more images

Vespa is all set to re-enter the Indian market and to help it on its way, World Bank arm IFC will fund the Italian 2-wheeler company with Euro 45mn. Vespa will utilize the funds to make eco-friendly scooters, motorcycles and LCVs in Vietnam and India.

Chairman and managing director Piaggio India Ravi Chopra -

A Vespa is a Vespa, its not a scooter. The Vespa will be designed for the Indian consumers’ tastes, something that offers them iconic value. It is a lifestyle product meant for the elite, for people who like to be distinctly known to possess something unique in nature

Vespa has taken a leave of 15 years in India and in its third attempt, it will try selling scooters and three-wheelers. The first product from its stable to be introduced in India is the 125cc Vespa LX scooter in 2012 at the company’s newly constructed Baramati plant.

Vespa is also working on gearless scooter suitable for short people. It will be designed for women riders wearing sarees as well.

Vespa LX 125 Technical Specifications

Engine and Transmission

Engine: Single-cylinder LEADER 4 stroke with electronic injection

Capacity: 124cc

Power: 7.65 Kw / 8250 rpm

Max Torque: 9.6 Nm / 7250 rpm

Cooling: Forced Air Cooling

Starter: Electric and kick starter

Transmission: Automatic

Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

Front Suspension: Single sided trailing link with hydraulic shock absorber

Rear Suspension: Hydraulic shock absorbers with preload adjuster

Front Brake: 200mm disc brake

Rear Brake: 110mm drum brake

Front Tyre: Tubeless 110/70 – 11″

Rear Tyre: Tubeless 120/70 – 10″

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 1770 mm

Width: 740 mm

Height: 1140 mm

Weight 114kg

Fuel Tank Capacity 8.5 litres

Piaggio will be bringing back the Vespa brand of scooters in India in Q1 of 2012 and it has major plans to ensure that it leaves no stone unturned in ensuring success of the Vespa LX 125 scooter. Remember, the company will be re-entering India all on its own this time and won’t have any local partner.

The company will not only retain the originality of Vespa’s scooters, but will also ensure maximum possible localisation of vehicle components, in order to ensure that its products are competitively priced. The company has already established a vendor sourcing group, which has been tasked with finding the appropriate vendors for the various components of the vehicle, subject to final approval of the parent company in Italy.

Ravi Chopra, Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles -

Vespa is iconic like the Beatles. This time around, the company is not coming back to India through a partner but on its own. India is a significant destination for investment and offers immense opportunities. Since 2002, the scooter market has picked up pace here and has been growing at a Cumulative Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13%.

The company is also looking to bring in a wider range of products into the Indian two-wheeler market from the various brands it has in its portfolio, but all this currently hinges on the success of the Vespa brand of products in the country.

The company wants to create a separate dealer network for the Vespa brand in the country, in order to give the brand its own identity and recognition. The company is looking to set up a quality dealer network along with some boutiques, to create awareness amongst the people about its products. The company could look into using its existing dealer network for promoting the LX 125 and also for retailing it.

The company is looking to invest 30 million Euros into its Indian operations during financial years 2010 and 2011 and with its manufacturing facility located at Baramati in Pune already having an installed capacity of 1,50,00 units, with the ability to be expanded further according to the demands of the market, the company seems to have covered all grounds for its third innings in the Indian two-wheeler space.

Source – The Financial Express

This one’s for all you Vespa fanatics out there. A guy in Spain has created a hotrod out of a Vespa scooter and man does it look killer. The scooter has been heavily modded with special care being paid to upping the performance potential of the scooter.

There are no specs available as to which Vespa scooter has been used as the base for this modification and what are the performance figures of the scooter post all the modding. There is no info available as to the money spent on carrying out all these changes.

Vespa is about to make its re-entry in to the Indian two-wheeler market, with its LX 125 scooter. The company had a big fan following in the 80′s and 90′s with scooters like the NV. Can Vespa regain its past glory in the Indian scooter market. only time will tell.

Source – Mas Moto

Vespa is about to make its re-entry into the Indian two-wheeler market and its the LX 125 which has been given the charge of leading Vespa’s attack on the Indian scooter market. The LX 125 is a 125 cc gearless, automatic scooter similar to the Honda Activa, whose engine produces 7.65 kW of max power and 9.6 Nm of max torque.

The Vespa LX 125 will be loaded with features such as a front disc brake and an electric starter. The scooter will be one of the more powerful scooters in the Indian market and hence fuel efficiency will be on the slightly lower side.

The Vespa LX 125 faces a tough job of re-establishing the Vespa brand name in the Indian two-wheeler space and with the presence of established rivals such as the Honda Activa, Honda Aviator, Hero Honda Pleasure and the Suzuki Access. It is not going to be an easy ride for Vespa in the Indian market.

Vespa LX 125 Technical Specifications

Engine and Transmission

Engine: Single-cylinder LEADER 4 stroke with electronic injection

Capacity: 124cc

Power: 7.65 Kw / 8250 rpm

Max Torque: 9.6 Nm / 7250 rpm

Cooling: Forced Air Cooling

Starter: Electric and kick starter

Transmission: Automatic

Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

Front Suspension: Single sided trailing link with hydraulic shock absorber

Rear Suspension: Hydraulic shock absorbers with preload adjuster

Front Brake: 200mm disc brake

Rear Brake: 110mm drum brake

Front Tyre: Tubeless 110/70 – 11″

Rear Tyre: Tubeless 120/70 – 10″

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 1770 mm

Width: 740 mm

Height: 1140 mm

Weight 114kg

Fuel Tank Capacity 8.5 litres

The iconic scooter manufacturer Vespa is all set to begin its third outing in the Indian scooter market. Vespa entered the Indian market way back in the 1960′s with a JV with Bajaj which ended in 1971. Then Vespa tied up with LML for its second innings in India, between 1983 and 1999. Now Piaggio, Vespa’s parent company has given the green signal for Vespa’s Indian re-entry.

The Board of Piaggio has approved a proposal to invest around 30 million euros (Rs 170 crores) over two years to set up a manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 1.5 lakh units in India. The Italian manufacturer wants to take advantage of the lucrative Indian scooter market, the Indian two-wheeler market being the second largest in the world.

Piaggio also plans to establish boutique showrooms for selling the range of Vespa scooters. Piaggio would first roll out the Vespa LX 125 scooter by the end of 2012. Then would gradually bring in more powerful scooters.

Piaggio is bullish about the Indian scooter market and is hoping to sell around 1.1 lakh units in the first three years and estimating revenues from the scooter business to touch Rs 400 crores in these three years.

Piaggio Vehicles India Pvt Ltd, which is currently manufacturing three- and four-wheeled small LCV’s, is the segment leader in leader in three-wheeled LCV’s. The company’s plant is located in Baramati, Maharashtra and the future Vespa scooters could also be manufactured here in addition to the proposed new factory.

Vespa LX 125 specifications:

Engine:  124cc Single-cylinder LEADER, 4 stroke with electronic injection
Power:  10 bhp
Max. Torque:  9.6 Nm
Transmission:  Automatic Twist and Go
Front Suspension:  Single sided trailing link with hydraulic shock absorber
Rear Suspension:  Hydraulic shock absorbers with preload adjuster
Front Brake:  200mm disc brake
Rear Brake:  110mm drum brake
Fuel Tank Capacity:  8.5 liters
Dry weight:  114kg
Colours:  Rosso Dragon, Nero Lucido, Blu Midnight, Celeste Glamour

Source: Economictimes