The Piaggio Group Americas is opening a new national technical center in Costa Mesa, CA. The 12,000 square foot facility houses the company’s product testing and technical training operations, including factory product training and classroom instruction for service technicians from all U.S. and Canadian dealerships, as well as Latin American importers. Piaggio, which had all-time record-setting U.S. sales in 2008, continues to expand both its model line and dealer network with over 500 dealers serving customers in North America. The company also anticipates ongoing strong demand for its diverse range of scooters and motorcycles as consumers shift focus to more economical personal transportation.
With design, engineering and manufacturing based in Italy, providing North and South American dealers and importers with more convenient access to factory expertise and the latest technical information is especially important to Piaggio Group Americas’ U.S. based team. Having a North American manufacturing base will be especially helpful to Aprilia who has suffered greatly from long lead times for spare parts, and poor customer-dealer relations.
The new facility expands Piaggio’s presence in Orange County, California, a home base for numerous motorcycle manufacturers, suppliers and industry groups. In addition to giving the company a bigger West Coast footprint, the new Technical Center also allows Piaggio’s U.S. team access to ongoing road and off-road testing. In addition to product testing and technician training, the Piaggio Technical Center also serves as the headquarters for the company’s West Coast press and promotional fleet, including media test bikes.
Source: Piaggio via
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