Justin Wastnage/LONDON Andy Nativi/GENOA
Piaggio Aero Industries' US-based subsidiary has achieved its 2001 sales target seven months early following the ninth North American sale of its P180 Avanti business aircraft this year. The sales are a welcome boost for the Italian aircraft manufacturer, which since its emergence from bankruptcy two-and-a-half years ago has sought to resurrect its presence in the US market.
Greenville, South Carolina-based Piaggio America delivered its first Avanti twin-turboprop of the year to a Denver-based customer in January. The second aircraft will be handed over this week to a Kansas City-based customer, and the remaining seven P180s will be delivered over the next four months.
Piaggio America vice president sales and marketing Michael McMillan says the company has started taking orders for 2002 aircraft, which it hopes to start delivering in December this year. McMillan says fuel efficiency is a major factor in the aircraft's success, along with its cabin size and operating cost.
Piaggio is basing its future growth on the North American market, following an anticipated slowdown in orders from the Italian Government which initially formed the basis for Piaggio's financial recovery. McMillan predicts that demand will outstrip supply in North America over the next few years, Piaggio having overcome initial customer resistance to buy from an unestablished name.
To support the growing P180 fleet, the company is strengthening its maintenance and service centre network, with its plans including building a parts department in Greenville. Piaggio recently signed an agreement with Stevens Aviation to offer maintenance and servicing from its Greenville and Denver bases, while a similar agreement has been established with Dallas-based JetWorks.
Piaggio is set to ramp up P180 production this year from eight to 18, increasing to 24 in 2002 and 36 in 2003. The company also plans new engineering and design plants in Naples, Italy, and Nice, France to support its Italian production base in Finale Ligure.
The new Naples centre is the first element of an expansion plan aimed at establishing a strong presence in the area, where Alenia Aerospazio has its main civilian aircraft plants.
Source: Flight International
