After a day spent at the headquarters of Padana Sviluppo, we will summarize and explain this Italian reality that for someone “only” remembers the Kymco brand but which is actually many other very interesting things.
April 13, 2022
D.fter a day spent at the headquarters of Padana Sviluppo we will summarize and explain this Italian reality which for some people remembers “only” the Kymco brand but which is actually many other very interesting things. The founder Franco Gianotti decided to undertake the production of Proma branded exhaust systems, a brand that some nostalgic people will surely remember. The success of the brand also leads to the production of aftermarket accessories and special parts for motorcycles of all types.
The turning point took place at the end of the 90s thanks to the contact with Kymco. The group begins distributing Taiwanese brand products on the Italian market. Starting from 1991 Padana Sviluppo then passed from manufacturer to importer and distributor of vehicles. A collaboration with Kymco that has therefore been going on for more than 30 years. From the joint venture between the Taiwanese company and Padana Sviluppo over time a whole series of models characterized by Italian lines have been created, designed specifically for the Italian market. Kymco has become an Italian phenomenonstarting from small market shares obtained with small displacement scooters, then expanding its presence on the Italian market, distributing more than 60,000 vehicles in a year and holding market shares of 18%.
G.thanks to the enormous success achieved with the Taiwanese house Kymco, Padana Sviluppo decides in 2017 to expand its interests to other brands as welllet’s see them.
LIFAN is a giant Chinese manufacturer of motor vehicles and electric vehicles now owned by Geely. Of all the huge production capacity of Lifan was selected the E3 model (here our test) which was then joined by LIFAN E4 which from a stylistic point of view was completely developed internally at Padana Sviluppo: its commercial success was so high that LIFAN has decided to entrust the next developments of the models in the range to Padana Sviluppo.
VOGE is a trademark of the LONCIN company, a Chinese vehicle manufacturer giant that offers extremely important collaborations, such as the one with BMW, for which it produces complete scooters and complete engines. The VOGE range (here you will find our special “A month with” dedicated to 500AC Trophy) is made up of medium-small displacement motorcycles, ranging from 300 to 500 cc, which is also accompanied by an original electric motorcycle equivalent to a 125cc
CFMOTO is a world leader in quad production, ATV and SSV and thanks to the enormous success of the four wheels, it has invested huge funds to develop a range of two-wheeled vehicles capable of guaranteeing fun and driving pleasure in all conditions. Characterized by an important research and development department and by the considerable potential, CFMOTO has distinguished itself in the production of medium and high displacement motorcycles (here the test of the 700CL-X) also thanks to important collaborations on the domestic market such as that with KTM.
YADEA is a Chinese manufacturer, world leader in the production of motor vehicles for urban travel characterized exclusively by electric motors. The Chinese giant produces more than 13 million vehicles annually. These numbers make YADEA the first manufacturer in the world of vehicles of this size. To enter the European market, it decided to collaborate exclusively with Padana Sviluppo not only as regards the commercial aspect but above all for the development of future models from a stylistic and design point of view.
Padana Sviluppo, headed by Stefano Gianotti today, imports and distributes five brands exclusively on the Italian market, thus guaranteeing the possibility of offering the dealer a complete range of vehicles that cover all the needs of the end user, from small urban movements, even 100% electric up to long journeys.
The Padana Sviluppo organization chart is very simple and divided into three companies: KMIat the head of the KYMCO brand, VOGE Italy which, as the word itself says, deals with VOGE e Take Over which collects under its control LIFAN CFMOTO and YADEA. The three companies together form a network of brands capable of working with almost 1,000 dealers distributed throughout Italy and achieving a turnover of almost 100 million euros.
In order to guarantee maximum support to customers, Padana Sviluppo has equipped itself with a series of buildings and warehouses thanks to which it is able to manage the activities necessary for all five brands. The main building is located in via Alcide De Gasperi 17 building of approximately 6,100 square meters with a large outdoor parking; the technical center at which times at this meeting is a new building with 3,100 sq m; the 20,000 sq m vehicle logistic center.
Padana Sviluppo, a beautiful Italian history