Rome, Italy. Thousands of Vespa riders took part in a large parade through Rome on Saturday as the Italian capital hosts a four-day celebration marking the scooter’s 80th anniversary. The event, titled “Vespa Roma 2026 – 80 Years of an Icon”, runs from June 25 to 28.
Event in Rome
The gathering is centred on Rome’s Foro Italico and the Stadio dei Marmi, which has been transformed into a Vespa Village featuring exhibitions, races, parades and club events.
History of the scooter
Launched in 1946 by Piaggio PIA.MI, the Vespa became a symbol of Italy’s recovery after World War Two. It was widely seen as affordable, stylish and practical for travel through cities including Naples, Milan and Rome.
Global recognition
The Vespa became one of Italy’s best-known design exports and appeared in films, advertisements and holiday brochures, including “Roman Holiday” starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
Production and sales
Vespa has remained in continuous production for 80 years, undergoing around 160 restyling updates and recording nearly 20 million unit sales worldwide, including just over two million in the past decade.
Current market
The scooter is currently sold in about 100 countries, mainly in Europe and Southeast Asia, and is produced at three manufacturing plants in Italy, Vietnam and India.
