Vespa USA Kick Starts Riding Season with Facebook Contest

** NEW YORK—March 23, 2011** As consumers say goodbye to Jack Frost and begin to "think spring," Vespa USA today announced its official kick off to riding season with a Facebook photo contest where 10 lucky winners, one each week, can enjoy "la dolce vita" aboard a new Vespa S 50 4V motor scooter. From now until May 29, 2011, current and prospective riders and consumers with a flair for freedom and adventure are encouraged to visit www.Facebook.com/VespaUSA and enter to win, learn more about the iconic scooter brand and invite friends to participate. To enter, Vespa USA 'fans' on Facebook are invited to visit their local Vespa dealership, take a photo sitting on a Vespa scooter with a helmet on, and upload the image to www.Facebook.com/VespaUSA. After clicking on the "Win a Vespa Photo Contest" tab on the left side of the page, entrants are directed to the submissions page. One lucky winner will be selected every week for 10 weeks to win a new Vespa S 50 4V scooter.

Still in full swing until April 30, 2011 is the Piaggio/Vespa Free Helmet Promotion. Riders who purchase a new Vespa or Piaggio scooter will receive a free helmet, valued at $377.

For more information on the spring Vespa USA Facebook photo contest, free helmet promotion or to find a Vespa USA dealer, visit the new and improved www.VespaUSA.com.

About Vespa Motor Scooters
Vespa motor scooters are the finest scooters on the planet because of their superior design, fit, finish and components. The most distinguishing design and functional feature of the Vespa is its steel unibody monocoque frame which has been a feature since the first Vespa was built over 60 years ago. Beloved the world-over by consumers and celebrities alike, the Vespa is recognized as the epitome of Italian design and the standard bearer of what is deemed stylish and cool. When owners ride a Vespa they get the added benefit of reducing oil and gas consumption, traffic congestion, pollution and their commuting time.

About The Piaggio Group:
Established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio and based in Pontedera in Pisa, Italy, the Piaggio Group is one of the world's top manufacturers of two-wheel motor vehicles. With more than 7,000 employees, an annual production of 630,000 vehicles in 2010, five R&D; centers, seven production facilities in Europe and Asia and world-wide commercial operations, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European two-wheeler market. The company produces scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200cc displacement range, marketed under the Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and Moto Guzzi brands. The Group also manufactures three- and four-wheel light transportation vehicles for the Ape, Porter and Quargo ranges.