Alfardan Motorcycle Centre named exclusive importer of Piaggio Group in Qatar

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Centre's Khalifa showroom.

Listed on Milan Stock Exchange, Piaggio Group is a leading, international two-wheel motor vehicles' manufacturer established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio and based in Pontedera, Pisa, Italy. The Group boasts an unparalleled line of scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50 cc and the 1200 cc displacement range with prominent brand names the likes of Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera.

Speaking at the event were Mr. Roy Burt, Chief Operating Officer of Alfardan Automobiles, Mr. Georges Marianelli, Piaggio Group Area Manager, and Mr. Robert Zarzour Director of Motorcycles and Lifestyles at Alfardan Motorcycles Centre.

Mr. Roy Burt said: "We welcome another prestigious addition to Alfardan Motorcycles Centre. Our country's economic outlook is evolving, and so are its aesthetic features, a fact that requires innovative solutions in transportation means among others. As a pioneer in the vehicles market, we look for constant expansion schemes, allying ourselves with world's leaders to keep apace with our country's growing cosmopolitan needs."

Upholding a withstanding heritage in the Italian industry, Piaggio Group has manufactured all sorts of transportation means since inception. The Group is earmarked by a consolidated leadership in the European two-wheeler market and a high production capacity that reached 681,000 vehicles in 2006. With over 6,700 experts on its team, Piaggio Group is backed by five R&D centres and operations spanning 50 countries.

Mr. Georges Marianelli said: "Teaming up with Alfardan Motorcycles Centre to bring Piaggio's original products to the country is a strategic move which we are very excited about. Qatar is definitely among our most prominent markets in the region and we are confident that this partnership would generate notable successes and benefits for both companies."

Mr. Robert Zarzour commented on the move as key to Alfardan Motorcycles Centre expected growth plans in 2008. The Centre has always been considered as a leading provider of premium motor vehicle brands bringing to the market an array of innovative solutions ranging from the topmost racing machines to Piaggio's fun, stylish and unique two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

The scooter, Vespa was born in the spring of 1946 as a combined result of Enrico Piaggio's intuition and Corradino D'Ascanio's design ingenuity. Pontedera factory produced the first fifteen Vespa units, delineating the true meaning of elegance, comfort, and style in transportation leading to the production of a whopping 35,000 units by the end of 1949.

By 1950, Vespa was being manufactured in Germany, UK, France, Belgium and Spain followed by India and Indonesia, becoming a symbol of the Italian spirit and turning Italy into the "Vespa Country" with an exceptional global sales rate of 17 million units. Evolving in style to incorporate the contemporary changing needs, Vespa has portrayed the most modern facets of every cosmopolitan society it existed in bringing forth a unique blend of historical heritage and trendy spirit.

Piaggio offers a complete range of high-tech, eco-friendly and smart solutions for all metropolitan mobility needs.

Gilera encompasses an assortment of high-performance, sporty yet stylish motorcycles. Gilera targets the fashionable trend-setters who seek the thrill of a ride amalgamated in an essence of elegance, Piaggio Group's core image.

Alfardan Motorcycles Centre was established in November 2006 resulting in a stupendous growth rate in motorcycles' demand and founded, in record time, two state-of-the-art showrooms located on Suhaim Bin Hamad Street and in Madinat Khalifa featuring some of the world's most coveted motorcycle's brand names.