Pretty Amazing: Piaggio Announces 12-Month Test ride, FREE!

[totalmotorcycle]

Just posted this in our News Forum and thought I'd share it here as well:
viewforum.php?f=13


Piaggio Group Americas Announces Industry-First Risk-Free 12-Month Test Ride


Parting can be sweet sorrow with Piaggio’s new trial ownership plan

NEW YORK, June 1, 2009 – Piaggio Group Americas, Inc., the importer of Vespa, Piaggio, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi scooters and motorcycles, has an offer that you just can’t refuse. If you’ve been tempted to join America’s rapidly growing scooter community but your plans have been on idle because you’re not sure whether you were born to ride, the time to discover your inner scooteristi is right now. Effective today, Piaggio invites consumers on a risk-free 12 Month Test Ride, an industry-first program that offers qualified buyers the opportunity to experience all the fun, savings and environmental benefits of select Piaggio, Aprilia and Vespa scooters without a long-term commitment. The 12 Month Test Ride offer includes the option to return the scooter to participating dealers after 365 days of ownership if the buyer decides that the two-wheel lifestyle just isn’t right for them after all.

The Piaggio scooters included in the 12 Month Test Ride are the Piaggio FLY 50, Piaggio FLY 150, Piaggio BV Tourer 250 and the Piaggio MP3 250. You can also choose from the Vespa S 50, Vespa LX 150, Vespa GTS 300 Super or the Aprilia Sportcity 50, Aprilia Sportcity 125, Aprilia Scarabeo 100 and Aprilia Scarabeo 200.

"It’s our mission to remove any roadblocks keeping even more Americans from discovering just how much money and time they can save, and how much fun they can have, by adding two wheels to their garage,” said Paolo Timoni, President and CEO, Piaggio Group Americas. “The economic, environmental and lifestyle benefits of scooters are proven on a daily basis in major markets around the globe, and we think this hassle-free introduction to scooter ownership is a risk-free way for U.S. consumers to take a trial membership in our American scooter nation.”

Timoni believes that newcomers to the scooter lifestyle will quickly be convinced to make two wheels a permanent addition to their personal transportation fleets. Existing scooter owners already know that life on two wheels delivers fun and thrills. Practical benefits such as an average 70 mpg fuel economy and an average ownership and operating cost savings of $6,000 per year provide even more incentive to ride. With the majority of American households still owning two, three or more vehicles, swapping just one set of four wheels for two is an immediate solution to rev up personal savings while throttling back on foreign oil dependence, urban congestion and carbon dioxide emissions.

The 12 Month Test Ride is open to buyers who qualify for a 36-month closed-end finance term, exclusively offered through Piaggio Group America’s partner Sheffield Financial. To take advantage of the offer, the purchase must be completed by July 31, 2009. The risk-free return guarantee requires the completion of 12 scheduled loan payments and excludes upfront license, vehicle preparation, freight and tax fees as well as a 10% down payment based on the vehicle’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

For more details about the 12 Month Test Your Ride, please visit www.PiaggioUSA.com

About The Piaggio Group:
Established in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio and based in Pontedera (Pisa, Italy), the Piaggio Group is one of the world’s top manufacturers of two-wheel motor vehicles. With over 7,000 employees, an annual production of more than 708,000 vehicles in 2007, 5 R&D centers, 7 production facilities in Europe and Asia, and operations in over 50 countries, the Piaggio Group has a consolidated leadership in the European two-wheeler market. 

The company produces scooters, motorcycles and mopeds in the 50cc to 1,200 cc 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.

[Brackstone]

Crazy especially considering their reliability. I think most people will say "That's alright"

[Wrider]

Too bad they don't offer that on Aprilia bikes! I'd be all over it!

[Gunslinger]

Just wait until you try to return it after a year. I've seen diamonds that were formed with less pressure than what those dealers are going to put on you.
I'd like to see the math on how you can save 6K a year by purchasing one of these.

[RockBottom]

I'd like to see the math on how you can save 6K a year by purchasing one of these.

If you were single, that might be accurate--it would be the amount you would have by not having a date for the year.

[jmillheiser]

I feel gipped, they dont include those wonderful Aprilia Scooters the RSV 1000 Factory and Touno 1000. Id gladly take either of those for a 1 year test ride hehehehe.

[motokid]

So, let me get this straight:

you buy a scooter, put 10% of MSRP down, you have to finance it at who knows what rate. After the year, you will have paid off 40% of its original price, and then there's an option to return it and walk away. Wont even mention the hooks like excessive mileage and wear.

Help me out here, am I stupid for not seeing the deal?

K

[MZ33]

Motokid, you pegged it!
It looks more like a lease than a test drive.

[JC Viper]

Hell, I am so interested in the Piaggio MP3 for its usefulness in bad weather or rough roads. This may take the pain away from the purchase of the bike.