logo piaggio wide
EVENTS

LAHORE: VESPA AND APRILIA SHINE AT THE 2018 PAKISTAN AUTO SHOW

Mrs. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, a member of the National Assembly, on a Vespa Primavera. Right, Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo.

SHAISTA PERVAIZ MALIK, A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, AND THE ITALIAN AMBASSADOR STEFANO PONTECORVO ATTEND THE OPENING OF PAKISTAN’S TOP AUTOMOTIVE SHOW. THEY BOTH VISITED THE STAND OF THE PIAGGIO GROUP IMPORTER, RAVI MOTORCYCLES, WHERE THE AMBASSADOR “UNVEILED” THE VESPA PRIMAVERA AND THE APRILIA 900, SHIVER AND DORSODURO.

The Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Stefano Pontecorvo, and his wife, Lidia Ravera, on an Aprilia Shiver 900.

Lahore, 2-4 March 2018Fahad Iqbal, the managing director of Ravi Motorcycles (Ravi Automobile pvt. ltd. industrial group), the importer for the Vespa, Aprilia, Piaggio and Derbi brands in Pakistan, chose the “2018 Pakistan Auto Show” (2-4 March, Lahore International Expo Centre) to launch the new Vespa and Aprilia ranges.

It was a great success: the event is the country’s top automotive show, and was attended by more than 200 national and international exhibitors, attracting 300,000 visitors and extensive media coverage. The opening of the exhibition was an event in itself, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mrs. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, a member of the National Assembly, and Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo.

Both Mrs. Pervaiz Malik and Ambassador Pontecorvo visited the Ravi Motorcycles stand, and took the opportunity for “on-board” photos – Mrs. Pervaiz Malik on the new Vespa Primavera (an ever-green model that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year), the Ambassador on the Aprilia Shiver 900 motorbike, with his wife riding pillion – and to comment on the new entries in the ranges. The exhibition was also attended by Roberto Puddu, Embassy of Italy to Pakistan Economic, Financial and Commercial Attaché.

2018 Pakistan Auto Show. L-R: Fahad Iqbal, managing director of Ravi Motorcycles; Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo and his wife, Lidia Ravera; Mrs. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, a member of the National Assembly.

The Pakistan Auto Show is organised by the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), which is part of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry. The sector includes manufacturers of automobiles, commercial vehicles, scooters and motorcycles, trucks and industrial vehicles, and spares and accessories.

Pakistan is one of the world’s 40 producers in this industry, which is growing and offers important development opportunities. It has a population of 210 million inhabitants, 60% of whom have an average age of 35.

The commercial partnership with Ravi Motorcycles began years ago, with the import of Piaggio scooters initially and later of Derbi two-wheelers (another brand on display on the stand), and has now been expanded with the new Vespa and Aprilia ranges, which attracted great interest among the media and followers of the Italian brands.

Lahore: a young scooter fan on a splendid Vespa 946 takes his son to school; they both wear the matching helmet from the line of original accessories created for the top-of-the-range model.