China scooter sales lift Piaggio

Piaggio bosses say China offers huge potential

Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio says it may have to double output as a result of booming scooter sales in China and India.

Piaggio recently signed a deal with Chinese motorcycle maker Zongshen Group to produce 300,000 bikes.

"Piaggio is becoming a little multi-national is its sector," said Piaggio head Roberto Colaninno.

He said in India and China "there are three billion people who have decided to change their quality of life".

"The Chinese population which has two- or three-wheeled vehicles is 60 million, so it's low with respect to the market potential."

He said the company also intends to expand in India.