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Piaggio Opening New Design Center in US

Piaggio announced it is opening a new design center in Pasadena, Calif., to be headed by Aprilia RSV4 designer Miguel Galluzzi. Roberto Colaninno, chairman and chief executive officer of  the Piaggio Group, announced plans for the new Advanced Design Center at a dealer convention for the Piaggio Group Americas in Miami, Fla. At the moment, North American customers usually have to wait a little longer before they receive new Piaggio models, with most models arriving on these shores months after they are available in Europe.

2013 Moto Guzzi California 1400, Aprilia Caponord Confirmed for US

Piaggio confirmed it will introduce the new Aprilia Caponord 1200 and Moto Guzzi California 1400 to the U.S. market this fall. The announcement was made at Piaggio Group Americas’ dealer convention in Miami, Fla.

Vintage Bike Stash Found in Ohio

Brim’s Imports is a vintage motorcycle shop disguised as a used car dealership, and chances are you’ve never heard of the place or its proprietor, Tom Brim. If you’re in the market for a rare vintage motorcycle, however, it may behoove you to give Tom or his brother, Ralph, an old fashion phone call. A website does exist, brimsimport.com, but its for searching the inventory of late model car and truck parts — the cash flow supporting Tom’s motorcycle obsession.

Piaggio Reports 2011 Results

The Piaggio Group reported a 9.8% increase in net income in 2011 thanks to rising demand for scooters and increased sales in Asia. According to Piaggio‘s annual fiscal report, the Italian company made a profit of 47.0 million (US$62.6 million) in 2011, compared to a net profit of 42.8 million euros in 2010. Net sales reached 1.52 billion euros (US$2.02 billion) in 2011, a year-on-year increase of 2.1% from the 1.49 billion euros reported in 2010.

Piaggio Announces 2011-2014 Business Plan – More Hybrids and Electric Models In the Pipeline

The Piaggio Group revealed its business plans for the next three years with a focus on developing fuel efficient engines and introducing new electric motors and hybrid powertrains. Beginning in 2012, Piaggio plans to introduce a new generation of engines with lower emissions and improved fuel economy. Examples include the new 350cc engine introduced in the Piaggio Beverly SportTouring and the fuel-injected 125cc four-stroke, three-valve engine equipped in the Vespa Quarantasei concept (which the company has apparently, and quietly, renamed as the much easier-to-pronounce Vespa 946).

EICMA 2011 Preview: New Moto Guzzi V7 Range Revealed

Moto Guzzi unveiled two new models from its V7 line, joining the already released (and recently reviewed right here on Motorcycle.com) V7 Racer. The new Moto Guzzi V7 and the V7 Scrambler will make their public debuts Nov. 8 at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan.

Piaggio Reports Q3 2011 Results

Piaggio announced a net profit of 46.3 million euros (US$63.3 million) over the first nine months of 2011. That represents a slight dip from the 46.7 million euros (US$63.8 million) over the same period of 2010, but still respectable numbers in the face of a shrinking market for motorcycles in Europe. The decrease in profit comes despite a 2.0% increase in net sales, with Piaggio taking in 1.20 billion euros (US$1.64 billion) over the first three quarters.

Limited Edition 2012 Moto Guzzi California 90 Unveiled

Updated with pricing and American availability. Moto Guzzi unveiled a limited edition California touring motorcycle to mark the Italian manufacturer’s 90th anniversary. The special edition model was presented at the manufacturer’s 2011 Guzzi World Days celebration in Mandello del Lario, Italy.

Guzzi World Days 2011: Moto Guzzi Celebrates 90th Birthday

A record crowd of over 20,000 landed in Mandello del Lario, Italy, for Giornate Mondiali Guzzi (Guzzi World Days) to celebrate Moto Guzzi’s 90th anniversary. The first Guzzi World Days event since 2007, the three-day celebration attracted thousands of enthusiasts representing about 52 different countries around the world. Visitors got to see the restoration efforts on historic Moto Guzzi landmarks including its famous wind tunnel, the first to be used by a motorcycle manufacturer to test aerodynamics.

US Motorcycle Sales First Half 2011 Results

The U.S. motorcycle industry saw a 4.6% decrease in year-on-year sales over the first six months of 2011, thanks mostly to a 17.3% drop in ATV sales. Motorcycle and scooter sales however saw a 1.7% bump in the first half .