(Woodstock, GA) Piaggio Group, the importer and distributor of leading Italian scooter and motorcycle brands, is on a fast pace to introduce an even greater number of American consumers to its unique range of memorable brands. The different product lines are significantly expanded for 2005, due to Piaggio’s acquisition of the Aprilia Group in December 2004. While that purchase created Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, and the world’s fourth largest, the new organization is taking advantage of many more benefits than just increased purchasing and distribution efficiencies. With Aprilia and Moto Guzzi dealer networks, say executives, the new group is poised to make an impact in virtually every segment of the growing U.S. scooter and motorcycle market. “Separately, both companies certainly enjoyed their individual success stories,” said Paolo Timoni, Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, Piaggio & C. S.p.A. , “but together, we present a formidable challenge to our competition and exciting synergies exist that allow for certain efficiencies of business. Even though the brands are separate and distinct there may be opportunities in a few markets, where not all the brands currently exist, that allows for future growth of our dealer network”. Timoni, who personally welcomed the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi teams during a recent visit to company headquarters in Woodstock, Georgia, said that new opportunities in the sport bike, touring and cruiser markets with award-winning brands like Aprilia and Moto Guzzi presented intriguing growth opportunities for the Piaggio Group in the U.S. marketplace. To achieve its growth goals, said Timoni, the new organization will maintain two operational footprints in the U.S. market. In addition to Piaggio USA’s corporate headquarters in New York, the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi USA corporate offices, as well as warehouse operations for both companies, will remain in Atlanta. “This country’s immense geography calls for more than a single-point location. All of our brands are fully focused on responsive service to customers and dealers, and we feel that this is best served by continuing the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi teams’ great work from the existing Atlanta location.” Vice President and General Manager of Aprilia World Service USA, Inc., Tom McDonald stated he “ was pleased with the decisiveness of Piaggio management and excited about the future market growth potential of the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands. This is an exciting time for the employees at our office in Georgia and we look forward to working closely with Piaggio and Aprilia SpA to further build the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands and introduce the new models of both brands this year”. About Aprilia World Services USA Aprilia World Services USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aprilia S.p.A., a member of the Piaggio portfolio of motorcycle and scooter brands. Piaggio, which acquired Aprilia S.p.A. in December 2004, is Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, with over 6,000 employees engineering, producing and marketing over 600,000 vehicles each year in over 50 countries. The group’s portfolio of brands includes Aprilia, Derbi, Gilera, Laverda, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Vespa. Founded in 1998 Aprilia USA is the company’s U.S. importer and distributor. The subsidiary is headquarted in Woodstock, Georgia, just a few miles north of metro Atlanta and at the entrance to some of the best riding roads in America. Aprilia USA’s 120 U.S. dealerships offer a full line of performance motorcycles and scooters, as well as electric bicycles. For information on Aprilia’s complete model line, visit www.apriliausa.com.