The Vespa 150 TAP

The Vespa 150 TAP is an Italian Vespa scooter modified to transport a M20 75 mm recoilless rifle, which was used in the 1950s by the French Airborne Forces (Troupes aéroportées, or TAP). It was produced by Ateliers de Construction de Motocycles et Automobiles (ACMA), a licensed assembler of Vespas in France, in 1956 and 1959.Its mounted M20, a U.S.-made light anti-armour cannon, was very light when compared to a standard 75mm cannon but was still able to penetrate 100 mm of armour by so-called HEAT warhead. The recoil is counteracted by venting propellant gases out the rear of the weapon which...

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Piaggio & Ducati merger synergies?

Italian Motorcycles SpAA recent study by a world-renowned management-consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, suggests the possible synergies of a merger between Piaggio & C. S.p.a. and Ducati.The study was revealed this morning by the Italian newspaper LaStampa.it. As Europe's largest manufacturer of two-wheeled vehicles, Piaggio has already proven itself capable of acquiring other marquee brands. Their current brand line-up includes Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, Gilera, Derbi and Scarabeo.This news of the possible synergies comes shortly after Internet rumors of the imminent sale of Piaggio, as they are 55% controlled by IMMSI S.p.A. Company executives have stated that the sale and any plans for a merger are totally unfounded.Piaggio closed...

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