One More Thorn in Detroit's Paw

Can you turn in your Clunker for a 75 mpg Vespa? No, but Piaggio Americas is doing everything a niche brand can to make the most of the current economy.

The scooter business soared last year, but took a dive in 2009. Piaggio replies with event marketing and online and print advertising.

An event in Central Park, backed with some hard sell advertising ("Vespa's Stimulus Package," "Vespanomics," "$0 down $0 payments 0% interest") that aims at revving up some sales for Piaggio Americas' best-known brand. Here's an AdAge 3 Minute Video.