LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Vespa: Piaggio Usa
built 632 days ago
The Vespa 400 is a microcar, produced by ACMA (Ateliers de Constructions de Motos et Accessoires) in Fourchambault, France, from 1958 to 1961 to the designs of the Italian Piaggio company. Two different versions were sold, "Lusso" and "Turismo".
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Even though Vespa crabro is rarer than the various species of Vespula and Dolichovespula, it is not in danger of extinction in the USA. It seems to be doing well in its range there. Generally, it is considered to be a forest species in the USA. This means that it is rare to find a Vespa crabro colony near human habitats (unless it is out in the country). So, human contact with colonies of this particular species is uncommon in the USA. Though it does happen on occasion.
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The first Vespa model to roll off the assembly line was the "Vespa 98," with a top speed of 75 km/h. The 98 had an external drive shaft between the rear wheel and the air-cooled 2-stroke motor. In 1948, Piaggio came out with the V1T - V15T with a 125 (124.8 cc) motor.
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By the early 1990s, Vespa was in crisis. Its models were selling slowly (in 1992 Piaggio sold just 800 units[8]), two-strokes were being withdrawn around the world due to environmental concerns, new Asian manufacturers were stealing market share with cheaper/lighter bikes, and cars were very cheap. As a result, sales had fallen and production in Europe had been pulled back to Italy. Vespa needed a miracle—and a new model, beyond the PX.
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A Vespa is not just a scooter. It is one of the great icons of Italian style and elegance, and with more than 16 million units produced, is well known throughout the world. For more than 50 years, Vespa has fascinated millions of people and given the world an irreplaceable icon of Italian style and a means of personal transport that has become synonymous with freedom. It now falls under the umbrella of the Piaggio Group.
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Vespa enthusiasts can visit the comprehensive Piaggio Museum & Gift Shop adjacent to the plant in central Pontedera, near Pisa, Tuscany. The permanent exhibition includes those items which toured prestigious venues such as the Guggenheim in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Also on display is, perhaps, the most famous Vespa of them all - the one personally customised by Salvador Dalí in 1962.
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Piaggio Usa