Vespa Marks 80th Anniversary in Rome

The iconic Italian Vespa scooter, known for its distinctive waistline design, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this week in Rome. To mark the occasion, a special four-day event is taking place in the capital from 25 to 28 June.

Piaggio launched the Vespa in 1946, and it immediately became a symbol of the economic rebirth of a country devastated by World War II. It was designed to be affordable, yet stylish and practical enough to navigate the narrow streets of Milan, Rome and Naples.

The scooter was also made famous by Hollywood stars Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, who rode a Vespa through the streets of Rome in the legendary film Roman Holiday.

Over eight decades of continuous production, this world-famous design export has undergone approximately 160 upgrades.

To date, nearly 20 million units have been sold, with over two million sold in the past decade alone. Currently, the Vespa is sold in 100 countries around the world, primarily in Europe and Southeast Asia, and is manufactured at three plants, in Italy, India and Vietnam.

(Reuters, Max)