Piaggio recalls scooter

The company has responded to a Vietnam Competition Authority’s (VCA), under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, official dispatch dated August 6 requesting an explanation about recalling Liberty scooter and measures to deal with defected scooters in Vietnam.

“Our rim rear wheel design is used for a long time in European market and no similar case has been seen so far as. In the testing procedures and checking in 100,000 Km of Vietnamese roads, it has not found any serious cases happening,” said the company reply to VCA.

Piaggio said imperfect connection between aluminim rim and the core was behind the noise.

The company confirmed that this matter does not relate to customers’ safety as well as the scooters’ functions.

Piaggio Vietnam’s whole dealer network and authorised service points nationwide would give free of charge checks and address any technical problems with the model.

VCA deputy head Nguyen Phuong Nam said that VCA welcomed the firm’s move for consumers’ benefits.

Piaggio Vietnam did not reveal the total number of Liberty scooters recalled, however, the Liberty scooter and Vespa are two scooters that have contributed a majority in the company’s sales. Currently, the price of Liberty scooter is VND50 million.

Besides its Vespa production, the subsidiary produces Liberty high-wheel scooters and recently launched the new Fly, a compact scooter available in 50, 125 and 150cc versions.

The Piaggio Vietnam industrial complex in Vinh Phuc also houses an R&D centre for the two-wheeler sector, the first R&D unit set up by the Piaggio Group in Asia, which works closely with the group headquarters.

Piaggio Group plans to invest $93.24 million in Vietnam during 2012 to 2014. This is from a total capital expenditure of $532.8 million envisaged by the group business plan for 2012-2014, according to a Piaggio statement.