The Vespa range of scooters has been a house hold name ever since the first Vespa which was launched way back in 1960 with a joint venture with Bajaj. Till then the scooter has seen its ups and downs in India with it disappearing from the scooter scene in 1999 when Piaggio’s joint venture with LML ended.

Piaggio is now planning to bring back the Vespa line to India coming March 2010. The company is planning to bring two scooters a 100cc and 150cc. Piaggio is an engine manufacturing plant in its facility at Baramati. This engine manufacturing plant is being brought up at a cost of 320crore rupees and will manufacture 100cc engine for the Vespa and 1000 and 1200cc engines for its LCVs.

Piaggio’s portfolio in India current consists of its 3 and 4 wheeled LCV Ape truk. If Piaggio could bring the Vespa with its classic antique looks and cult design without trying to make it look more contemporary and plasticy it might crack the Honda active pot!