Piaggio Revamps U.S. Distribution

Piaggio & C. SpA is in the process of restructuring the distribution of its brands in the United States, Paolo Timoni, vice president of Global Sales & Marketing, told Powersports Business during a recent interview.
Piaggio owns the Piaggio, Vespa, Derbi, Gilera, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Laverda brand names — four of which offer scooters in the U.S.
In the past, Piaggio USA, Inc. was the importer and distributor of Piaggio brand product, with Vespa USA, Los Angeles, in charge of Vespa brand product; Aprilia World Service USA, Inc., Woodstock, Ga., serving as importer and distributor of Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brand product; and Derbi West LLC, Portland, Ore., importing and distributing Derbi brand product.
Piaggio USA recently took over the import and distribution of Derbi brand powersports vehicles in the U.S., ending distribution of the brand by Derbi West; and Costantino Sambuy, Vespa USA president, says the majority of Vespa’s office in Los Angeles has already been moved to the Piaggio USA office in New York.
Timoni says Piaggio’s new organization will maintain two operational footprints in the U.S. market. In addition to Piaggio USA’s corporate headquarters in New York, the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi USA corporate offices, as well as warehouse operations for both companies, will remain in Georgia.
Aprilia USA is led by Tom McDonald, vice president and general manager.
There are approximately 70 Vespa retail “boutiques” in the U.S., 116 Aprilia and 96 Moto Guzzi dealers.
Piaggio USA, Inc. is located at 140 East 45th Street, 17th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10017; 212/380-4400.