Vespa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search This article is about the Vespa line of scooters. For other uses, see Vespa (d

Vespa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about the Vespa line of scooters. For other uses, see Vespa (disambiguation).
Vespa Vespa logo
Type Subsidiary
Founded 23 April 1946 in Florence
Headquarters Pontedera, Italy
Industry Scooter
Parent Piaggio & Co. SpA
Website vespa.com
Classic Vespas in Perth, Western Australia
Play sound
Vespa.ogg
Classic Vespa sound

Vespa is an Italian line of scooters manufactured by Piaggio.

The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. of Pontedera, Italy—to a full line of scooters and one of seven companies today owned by Piaggio—now Europe's largest manufacturer of two-wheeled vehicles and the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer by unit sales.[1]

From their inception, Vespa scooters have been known for their painted, pressed steel unibody which combines a complete cowling for the engine (enclosing the engine mechanism and concealing dirt or grease), a flat floorboard (providing foot protection), and a prominent front fairing (providing wind protection) into a structural unit.

The Vespa was the first globally successful scooter.