On August 19, 2023, investment company Immsi Società per azioni (S.p.a., a type of corporation in Italy) announced the death of Roberto Colaninno, who was chairman and CEO of the Piaggio Group. Holding company Immsi counts the Piaggio Group among its holdings, and Piaggio is the parent company of well-known two- and three-wheeler brands Vespa, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, and Piaggio. Colaninno was 80 years old.
Widely regarded as a strong dealmaker in the Italian business world, Colaninno is credited with helping to turn around Piaggio’s fortunes after Immsi acquired it in 2003. Under his guidance, the Group focused expansion efforts in Asia, particularly marketing Vespa and Piaggio scooters in geographic regions where scooters are extremely popular forms of transportation.
