With a dearth of Bajaj Chetak news for the foreseeable future, here’s the story of The Battle of Haldighati, featuring Chetak, the horse after which the Bajaj scooters (and the HAL helicopters) were named.
Category: Manufacturers
Piaggio and ECN re-test FRESCO hydrogen fuel-cell scooter
According to Fuel Cell Today, Piaggio and the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) tested a newer version of their “Fuel-Cell Reduced Emission Scooter” (FRESCO) at Piaggio’s Pontedera testing ground on February 28, 2006. The FRESCO project, (download pdf) was based on the Piaggio X9 frame and is not to be confused with the Piaggio X8 and Vespa LX hybrid prototypes. The international collaboration was supported by Piaggio and started in 2002, officially ending in July 2005. The test in February was a continuation of the project–with assistance from the University of Pisa–with the goal of improving performance. The FRESCO scooter is entirely self-propelled by a hexagonally-shaped on-board hydrogen fuel cell, and creates zero emissions. While the specs weren’t listed in the new story, the original goal of the project was to create a vehicle capable of 75kmph and a range of 100km.
’90s flashback: Velociferos still roam the earth
On my way to work this morning I saw, of all things, an Italjet Velocifero, the first i’d ever seen in the US. It’s hard to believe there are any still out there, there can’t have been too many brought in, I don’t believe they’ve been imported since at least 2000, they’re famously difficult to maintain, even without the dismal supply of spares. So kudos to you, lone Chicago Velocifero rider, keep the faith until Kinetic gets their act together.
60th Anniversary Vespa models: Surprise announcement
Piaggio surprised the world today by announcing three new Vespa production models based on the 60th anniversary custom scooters they displayed at the Milan show. The “Vespa GT60” is based on the GTS, but remodeled to emulate the original “Vespa 98” model from 1946. The Vespa GTV and Vespa LXV are retro-styled versions of the GTS and LX: the GTV is modeled after 50s Vespas–a saddle seat, exposed handlebars and fenderlight–and the LXV modeled after the classic Vespas of the 60s. If they make it to America, it’s likely they’ll be in very limited quantities, so call your dealer now, inform them about these new models that they won’t even have heard about yet, and then have them start a waiting list with your name on top.
We’ll add some more details and post many more photos in the gallery later today. No we won’t. we’re not Piaggio’s monkey. Everyone and their mom has posted more photos and specs, Google it. It’s not like they’ll be available here anyway.
Kama Scooter
For those of you that think that slow-to-load two-second-long Flash clips featuring two satin-clad chicks dry-humping each other on a Vespa LX would be hot, it’s your lucky day: The Kama Scooter. If they were trying to out-weird Bajaj advertising, they’ve done it. I feel stupid, and kind of dirty, for even posting this. Someone tell Piaggio UK that sending out press releases about a “viral ad”, labeling the site as “Amazing Viral,” and slapping sales messages all over it sorta destroys anything “viral” about it, that’s just called “advertising.”
RIP, Bajaj Chetak (1972-2005)
Though we reported the end of the Bajaj on April 1, this India Times story from January 2006 (a reprint– the India Times page is popup-tastic, and thanks for the link, Matthew) says production officially stopped at Bajaj’s Akurdi plant on December 31st, 2005. (apparently Maharashtra continued building them from ‘CKD packs’ for three months.) The story is depressing, with chairman Rahul Bajaj citing their importance to Indian Culture (“…marriages did not happen without Chetak. It was a compulsory dowry item,” he says), while his son and Bajaj Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj argues, “Holding on to anything from the past is a sign of weakness.” Even if Rajiv has been reading too many western business management books, his statement that “”Like the Volkswagen Beetle, the product had lost its relevance,” is ridiculous, the redesigned Beetle (and soon Rabbit) thrive on nostalgia. Perhaps, like Costantino Sambuy slamming then embracing the Vespa P-series design, he’ll change his story when a “new” Chetak appears in a year or two. In any case, we still have the LML Star, for the time being, and the new Scooter World 2006 Buyer’s Guide for some reason lists the Chetak and Legend, probably because ArgoUSA still had some ads left in their contract.
What you missed if you’re not a hopeless loser that stalks scooters on the internet
The Vespa turned 60 this week. If you missed the news on 2strokebuzz, or here, here, here, here, here, here, here, or here, I’ll summarize it for you:
Audrey Hepburn Jennifer Lopez symbol Italy espresso economical style wasp 1946 Vroooooom Can of Corn.
So this is just a reminder that we filter through the PR blather, endlessly rehashed wire stories, ‘Scooter’ Libby updates, high school athletes’ volleyball stats, and Indian stock market reports several times daily just to find those precious nuggets of trivia (“Piaggio is unveiling a commemorative bell tomorrow!”) you care about. Any time Brooke wants to write out his theories about the false economy of scooters, I’ll be happy to print it, because I’m getting really bored with the “As gas prices top three dollars…” stories too (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15— that’s only about half the stories from this week).
South St. Louis police join the BV200 force
Police in South St. Louis are hoping a new substation and a fleet of Piaggio BV200s will deter crime. The salesperson that promised the StLPD that a BV200 can go 100mph might have some explaining to do when they top out at 80. From the archives: NYC police bought 300 BV200s in 2004 (notably used by undercover police to disrupt election protests), and downtown St. Louis police have been using Vespas since 2003. Thanks for the tip, Lu$.
Vespa World Club Website
Lo and behold, the VWC has a website already. The logo is revealed (a ho-hum rehash of the 50th annivesary logo, and where’s the “cog!?”) as is the organizational chart and a “Statute” outlining club rules– in Italian, though the rest of the site is available in “Italiano (Italia)” and “English (United States)”, aka the correctly-but-oddly-translated “Piaggio English” we love so. It’s happily been taken for granted that current national clubs (indluding the Vespa Club of America) have been listed as VWC affiliates. The “Activities” section, where one would expect to find an international rally calendar, instead lists competition events, perhaps they’re standardizing the gymkhana for international competition? A login promises a photo gallery, forum, and, er, blogs, as if there aren’t enough scooter blogs. (The one you’re reading is one too many).
Leardi named head of “Vespa World Club”
“The key to the Vespa is that it has a soul,
It is not just a piece of machinery.�
You may remember reading those words last week during Piaggio’s celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Vespa. It’s a quote from Roberto Leardi who (we’ve confirmed) was named head of the new “Vespa World Club” at the 57th National Congress of the Vespa Club d’Italia. Leardi’s comment struck us as very insightful, and we hope that as he leaves Rome for his new office in Pontedera he keeps the soul of the Vespa independent from the balance sheet of the company that created it. Piaggio’s choice of Leardi is a good start, and we look forward to hearing more about the goals and organization of the new World Club soon.
New Scarabeo 500
On the heels of Piaggio’s new model announcements, today Aprilia (who is celebrating their one year anniversary as a subisdary of Piaggio) held a ‘press day’ for their “new” 500cc Scarabeo. I don’t see any raging difference from the old Scarabeo 500 (more fake chrome maybe? Was the one at the Chicago Show, for instance, “old” or “new?”), and I really don’t “get” the Scarabeo anyway. But some people love ’em, so more power to you, Scarabeo-lovers, there’s a new one.
First Kinetic “Italjet” released
As reported on The Scooter Scoop: Kinetic, who acquired rights to produce seven Italjet models way back in 2004, has at last released their first model: the Kinetic Italiano Blaze (thankfully renamed from the Italjet Millenium, which seems, erm, dated). Kinetic’s site features an overhead photo of all seven planned “Italiano” (apparently they’re not using the Italjet name) models in a popup window (note the Blaze is labeled as the “Blade”). Those Kinetic Dragsters may be a reality yet, not to mention the long-awaited Kinetic circa-1993 Velocifero, the first retro-RETRO scooter. Hopefully someone with Indian scooter importing experience and nothing else to do at the moment will bring them to the USA.
UPDATE: also from Scooter Scoop, here’s a test ride and review.
Schwinn vs. TNG: Pacific Cycle’s response
I emailed Pacific Cycle, parent company of Schwinn Scooters for a comment on TNG’s lawsuit against Schwinn. Here was the response from Mo Moorman, Pacific Cycle’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations:
Pacific Cycle has no comment regarding ongoing litigation, except that we are surprised and disappointed by these claims. We feel the claims have absolutely no merit and intend to defend vigorously. Pacific Cycle stands by the quality of its products and its relationships with its OEM partners.
You may find it worthwhile to review a variety of scooter OEM’s Web sites to note the similarities between their catalog’s standard, stock models and scooters distributed in the U.S. and around the world.
Fair enough, and we’ve noted that there are hundreds of US importers selling the same handful of Chinese-made scooter models (most commonly based on the Yamaha Vino design) under different brand names. Perhaps CMSI has written off smaller fly-by-night importers as being not worth worrying about, whereas a well-known name like Schwinn is a much bigger threat. And again, the lawlessness of the Chinese business frontier will certainly cloud this case– TNG probably has little recourse against their Chinese suppliers. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, the Yamaha settlement last week was an interesting precedent. Perhaps Yamaha will parlay their trademark victory into more lawsits against US distributors of Vino clones, if so, both TNG and Schwinn could be looking at even bigger problems.
FIV replacement announcement soon?
It appears that Piaggio may soon announce a new international Vespa Club sanctioning body to replace the FIV (Federazione Internazionale dei Vespa Clubs), which they mysteriously dissolved in December. The new body is rumored to be called “Vespa World Club” and is likely to be directed by popular Vespa Club Italy president Roberto Leardi. Unfortunately, comments from Piaggio CEO Rocco Sabelli, published in the November/December issue of the company magazine “Piaggiornale,” indicate that this new organization might be under even tighter control of Vespa’s marketing department:
“To this end [adding extra value to our brands], we will be launching merchandising programs based on each brand’s history and traditions for professional and market-oriented use of the Vespa Club, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi communities.”
Hopefully Sabelli’s comment describes an increased investment to support the independent rallies and clubs that keep the scooter scene alive, rather than a plan to co-opt the historic and colorful national Vespa Clubs and re-tool them into Piaggio marketing squads. In any case, EUROVESPA 2006 is still scheduled for Turin this summer, and proudly displaying the FIV logo on their site.
Piaggio 2006 line announced
Piaggio X8 400ie
Today Piaggio announced a whole schload of new and redesigned models.
- The Beverly line now includes five models: the 125, 250 ie (“iniezione elettronica” –electronic injection), S 250ie, 400ie, and 500.
- The Liberty and new “racier” Liberty S are both available in a 50cc 2-stroke, as well as 50, 125, and 200cc 4-stroke versions.
- The Typhoon 50 has been redesigned for 2006.
- The redesigned X8 range features five versions: the X8 125 and 150 “Street,” the X8 125, and the 250ie, and the 400ie.
Photos of some of the new models are in our gallery, More photos and specs will be posted as we make sense of it all. Note: these are worldwide-market names and products, few will likely make it to the US, and the Beverly will likely continue to be called the “BV” here.