More Commuters Turn to Motor Scooters as Gas Prices Rise

- Piaggio President & CEO Discusses 'Vespanomics' As One Solution
- Piaggio is the Manufacturer the World Famous Vespa(R) Scooter

With the official start of summer and the peak travel season just weeks away, gas prices are once again skyrocketing to record highs and consumers are again feeling the pain at the pump.

More Americans are beginning to utilize gas-sipping and eco-friendly motor scooters as a smart and safe option that could dramatically reduce gas consumption and bring substantial economic and environmental benefits to Americans and the communities in which they live.

-- According to a survey conducted by ICR on behalf of Piaggio Group Americas, 30% of U.S. consumers indicated that they would be extremely or somewhat likely to consider using a scooter for 35% of the mileage currently traveled by car, truck or SUV - yielding a willingness of consumers to convert 10% of mileage to a scooter. If Americans were to switch just 10% of their mileage to scooters, they would consume 14 million gallons less fuel per day.

-- It costs approximately $5 to fill the empty tank of a scooter.

-- Scooters tend to offer gas mileage of approximately 70 miles per gallon.

-- Over 70% of Americans are concerned with global warming, which points toward their receptiveness of alternative, environmentally-friendly forms of transportation.

-- In addition to their fuel savings, research has shown that the use of motor scooters can also dramatically improve traffic congestion and produce significant time saving from urban commutes.

Who: Paolo Timoni, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas

What: Mr. Timoni is the President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, a leading manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles marketed under the Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa brands. In his current position, Mr. Timoni has responsibility and oversight of all sales and marketing operations within North, South and Central America.


Source: Piaggio Group Americas