Spread all over the world

In 1950 the Vespa, just four years after its debut, was produced in Germany by the Hoffmann-Werke company in Lintorf; the following year the licensing companies in Great Britain and France also opened; in '53 production also began in Spain with Moto Vespa S.A. in Madrid, founded in 1952, now Piaggio España. Soon after in Jette, near Brussels. Plants were also set up in Bombay and Brazil; the Vespa also landed in the USA: the widespread popularity of the Piaggio scooter also attracted the attention of "Reader's Digest", which dedicated a lengthy article to the Vespa. But that magical period was only the beginning: soon Vespa was produced in 13 countries and sold in 114 countries around the world. Even in Australia, South Africa (where it is christened "Bromponie", the pony of the moors), Iran and China.