The Development of the Miracle
"Among those who understood the brilliance of the idea and the usual sceptics, the latter were soon to change their minds. Production soared: from 2,484 scooters in the first year, the total reached 19,822 in 1948 with the new Vespa 125. In 1950, with the first German licensee, output reached 60,000 vehicles. Three years later, it soared to 171,200, and the number of Piaggio service stations around the world – including America and Asia – rose to more than ten thousand. This magical period was only the start: soon the Vespa would be produced in 13 countries and marketed in 114 countries around the world."