Vespa: The secret of his popularity in Spain

Considered one of the most iconic bikes of all time, the Vespa has its origins in Italy in 1946. At the end of World War II, businessman Enrico Piaggio had the idea to manufacture a new vehicle that would be comfortable with the move, whose conduct was simple and affordable for citizens. To realize his idea, commissioned the manufacture of a prototype to an aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio. The result was a simple and practical machine has become one of the best-selling motorcycle history.

In April 1946 concludes the manufacture of the first fifteen copies, produced in Pontedera factory. Today, the Vespa has already more than 90 models and sales over 17 million units in 114 countries. It is also the first motorcycle that has come to the mythical figure of one million units sold, making this record 10 years after leaving the market.

In 1949 Piaggio first granted licenses to manufacture the Vespa around the world. Sales are growing in several countries, especially in the United Kingdom, where it becomes the choice for transportation of youth groups, such as Mod Sales continued to grow in the mid-60's, and by then the Vespa was considered an icon of the working class, a means of transport for young couples and a sign of freedom for youth groups.

Piaggio decided to increase production in 1952, spurred by the international success, and to do choose to build a factory in Madrid. Since then, Spain has sold more than ten percent of all units sold in the history of the Vespa, one of the markets with greater sales volume, along with Italy.

The causes of success in Spain are similar to those of the Alpine country. Both were fully developed industrial countries who need their citizens to move freely as a means to increase their industries. Moreover, the creation of a sidecar attached to the Vespa was made it appropriate to move with the family. In the 60's, the new generations take the Vespa as a symbol of freedom and identity. In addition, the increased popularity of the Vespa with its appearance on big films like Roman Holiday and Quadrophenia.

The passion for the Vespa crosses the country and its presence is felt everywhere: it covers the Tour of Spain in Vespa, the Postal Service and the Guardia Urbana of Barcelona acquired for their work.

Such is the success of the Vespa in 1968 the Spanish factory creates its own model: the Vespino. In the 70's the Vespa gets some mixed results but Vespino sales makes the production of the Vespa in Spain until 1990, despite having to compete with one of the icons of our country, the 600, a car that could hold more passengers but also generated greater discomfort or unexpected, such as parking, circulation less fluid, the greater care of the body or the ever annoying or broken windshield impacts.

It was in that decade when the Piaggio Group, which acquired the majority of the shares of Derbi and Moto Vespa SA, launched a relocation program that culminated in the closure of the factory in Madrid 2003.En Today, the Vespa continues to represent the same values ​​that made it so popular: it is practical, simple and easy to drive.