US Vespa Sales Threatened

The union calls it “a disaster for Pontedera” although Piaggio management doesn’t seem worried at the moment.  The 100% increase in duties on goods imported from Europe, including Vespa mopeds, as announced by US President Donald Trump, has already had its first negative effect.  The value of Piaggio on the Milan stock market has decreased by 3%.

Piaggio sells between 15,000 and 20,000 Vespas in America annually, representing 5% of the Tuscan company’s sales.  Given the recession, the Pontedera factory is only operating seven to eight months a year.  To read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.