This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
July 24, 2019, marked the 73rd anniversary of Vespa's debut at the Rome Golf Club in 1946. Since then, Vespa has become an integral part of Italian culture, symbolizing the country's rich history and innovative spirit.
According to Piaggio Group design director Marco Lambri, Vespa's story began in 1946, after World War II, when Enrico Piaggio and engineer Corradino D'Ascanio collaborated to create a vehicle that would contribute to Italy's post-war revival. Lambri explained, "Vespa is an extraordinary story. It's a story that was born in 1946, after the Second World War thanks to Enrico Piaggio's intuition and the genius of an engineer, Corradino D'Ascanio."
With its initial sales of 2,500 scooters in 1947, Vespa quickly gained popularity, selling over 60,000 units in 1950. The first models were priced at 55,000 lire, approximately $245 at the time, making it an affordable and desirable mode of transportation.
During our visit to the Piaggio Group headquarters in Pontedera, Italy, we witnessed the manufacturing process of Vespa two-wheelers. Unlike other scooters, Vespa's body frame is made entirely of steel stampings that are welded together, a technique inherited from Piaggio's aeronautical and naval manufacturing experience.
Today, Vespa is a global brand with a presence in over 90 countries. In addition to its Pontedera factory, Piaggio also operates a factory in Vietnam, established in 2013 to cater to the growing demand in Asian markets.
