ScooteringUSA

U.S. scooter sales rose over 65% percent in the first half of 2008, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. “They are just flying out of here,” said Steve Travers, who manages a scooter and motorcycle dealership in midtown Manhattan. “Consumers want to escape gas prices, they can’t afford to drive their cars and they want an inexpensive way to get around.” Among the most popular are scooters manufactured by companies such as Vespa-maker Piaggio, Yamaha Motor Company, and Honda Motor Company whose price tags range from $1,800 to $7,500.

At Piaggio, sales in the first quarter were up 74 percent from the same time a year ago, said Paolo Timoni, chief executive and president of Piaggio Group Americas. A scooter holding a single gallon of gasoline can last some commuters all week, which is appealing when gas prices are high. Whether the trend continues with gas prices falling again remains to be seen.