Interview Italy-florida Mission - Italy-America Chamber of Commerce ...

INDUSTRY
Ferrari Flies Piaggio
By Patrizia Galantucci
A ride in a red-flaming Ferrari is every kids dream. How
can we blame them? Many of us still cherish this dream.
More ambitious kids may wish to ride, fly or, better, own a
private jet. Today, the most fortunate children that have
become successful in their careers can finally blend those
two wishes in one, thanks to Piaggio Aero Industries. They
can in fact, enjoy the comfort brought together by invaluable
traditions combined with the most advanced technology.
In May 2000, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, President and
CEO of Ferrari S.p.A. took delivery of a P 180 Avanti with
a Ferrari livery, displaying the famous prancing horse logo
on the aircraft tail; Piaggio Aero has proudly manufactured
the airplane for the Italian automotive and racing
company. Piero Ferrari, son of the founder of the Ferrari
legacy, Enzo Ferrari, is the President and Chairman of the
Board of Piaggio Aero.
Piaggio Aero Industries is one of the world's oldest aircraft
manufacturers. A well known and respected Italian company,
Piaggio has its facilities in Genoa-Sestri and Finale
Ligure - in the Ligurian region - where 1400 employees
take care of production, final assembly, test flight, aircraft
overhaul and shelter production. The company's core
activities range from aircraft and aero-engine parts manufacturing
to battlefield shelters and civil protection.
The high-speed and advanced technology comparison
between the P180 Avanti to a Ferrari came in mind when
in October 2004, a Piaggio Avanti flew for the NBAA
(National Business Aviation Association) Convention from
Chicago to Orlando, setting a new world speed record for
class C-1.E aircraft. The course speed for the 854 nmi distance
from Chicago's Midway Airport to Orlando
Executive was 426 mph. The flight took two hours, 18 minutes
and 12 seconds.
In January 2004, Piaggio America, Inc. - a wholly owned
subsidiary of Piaggio Aero Industries - celebrated the
grand opening of its new U.S. Headquarters held in conjunction
with Annual Ferrari Event. Formed in July 2000 to
sell and support the P180 Avanti in the USA, Canada and
Mexico, Piaggio America moved its U.S. headquarters
from Greenville, South Carolina, to West Palm Beach,
Florida, where the company rents space from Jet Aviation.
"Piaggio has chosen this strategic location to enhance
business exposure, since the city hosts many qualified
customers and it is located in a central position between
Italy, United States and South America. West Palm Beach
also allows the company to benefit from consistent air
traffic, thanks to the all-year-round great whether conditions",
said Nicoletta Roselli, Manager of Marketing and
Sales Support at Piaggio America.
The Piaggio Avantis are flown worldwide, and thanks to
increased and overwhelming demand, the manufacturer
has plans to increase dramatically the annual production
rate.
Piaggio Aero with its "Italian masterpiece", the P180
Avanti, is contributing the expansion of the "made in Italy',
helping associate Italy not only with fine cuisine, high
fashion designs and luxurious automobiles but also with
corporate air transportation. �
.11 .it italian trade