Piaggio

They'll offer smartphone integration and lots of customization.

Electric model gets 62 miles of range, the hybrid doubles that.

We're not yet ready to call it a trend, but rumors have been flying that a couple more major automakers have set their sights on motorcycle manufacturers to add to their portfolios. If they do, they'll be following in the footsteps of the Volkswagen Group, which gobbled up Ducati and put it under the Audi brand in its ever-growing stable of

Jay Leno's days might be numbered as host of The Tonight Show, but he will always have a spot in auto enthusiasts' hearts as long as he keeps releasing great videos showing off his and his friends' cars. The latest video from Leno's garage might be the weirdest yet and highlights the three-wheeled Decopod by automotive artist Randy Grubb, who also built Leno's Tank Car.

Piaggio has an unqualified success story on its hands in the form of the MP3 three-wheeled scooter. Well, make that a slightly qualified success, as the recently released hybrid version of the leaning machine hasn't quite sold up to expectations. Actually

"Hello, would you like cake with your Vespa?"- Click above to watch the video after the jump

Could it be true? The rumormill is running overtime with reports of a potential merger between a pair of our favorite two-wheeled giants: Ducati and Piaggio.

Piaggio MP3 Hybrid – Click above to watch the video after the break

Speculation is fun, right? Our friends from Asphalt and Rubber are doing just that in regards to a possible electric motorcycle from Italian motorcycle manufacturer Moto Guzzi. What makes anyone think Guzzi might give up its well-known fascination with across-the-frame air-cooled V-twins? The Piaggio Group, which owns the classic manufacturer, has announced that it will invest 12 mil

2009 Plug-in Hybrid Piaggio MP3 scooter - Click above for high-res image gallery

Piaggio Ape - Click above for high-res image gallery

Piaggio MP3 Hybrid - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Aprilia Scarabeo 200 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Perodua UK Limited, the importer of Piaggio Commercial Vehicles, has just announced that it's bringing the classic three-wheeled Ape back to the UK market. First introduced way back in 1948, the Ape (pronounced, ap-ey, FWIW, which is Italian for "bee." Vespa is Italian for "wasp") is based on the front end of a scooter but features an enclosed cabin for weather protection and two wheels out back.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid

Click above for more high-res shots of the Piaggio MP3 hybrid

Click above for more high-res shots of the Piaggio MP3 hybrid

Click above for more high-res shots of the new Vespa S150