jfrost2 wrote:DennisD wrote:Vento's are assembled in Laredo, Texas.
Dennis
Sorry, but they are made in china, I did some homework and found the source company who makes vento and every other chinese bike importer's bikes. Every importer claims they make the bikes, but you can always trace them back to the original company.
Genuine doesnt directly say they import from PGO, so many new owners may think the buddy is made in Chicago, but it isnt too hard to find the buddy was made by PGO in taiwan.
Vento uses a few chinese bike companies, not just one, they do modify the bikes in their own factory, but genuine does the same thing as does many other companies who import bikes.
Back before I bought my buddy, I looked at vento bikes too, but emailing some dealers in my state, they too confirmed the bike is imported from china. That's why I steered away from them.
Perhaps parts made in China, but this is from the Vento USA web page. I find it interesting that their presence in the U.S. is much more organized than the "Pep Boys Bunch". Perhaps some companies originating in China will eventually step up and become reliable producers of quality products. It could happen.
Also, I have read good comments from Vento owners elswhere on the net that demonstrates much better customer satisfaction with the Vento than other makes. I like the Vento and am going to keep my eye on their progress.
Taking into consideration the positive spin any company will put on their products, I still find the statements below from Vento USA interesting.
Vento Motorcycles, U.S.A., is headquartered in San Diego, with assembly facilities in Laredo, Texas, as well as a new marketing, product development, and sales support center in Melbourne, Florida. Vento Motorcycles U.S.A. is led by company president and corporate founder Isaac Calderon. Its corporate offices include its customer care support staff, and product design and development operations, headed by noted designer Mario E. Cisneros. Mahonry Sanchez is responsible for International sales. Vento also has an R&D team based in Italy and an additional design team in Australia.
In 1998, Vento opened a dedicated assembly facility located in Laredo, Texas. The assembly plant was constructed to consolidate Vento’s product range and elevate the build quality of its products, to better compete in the global marketplace. The development of this facility and its modern technologies led directly to Vento products receiving approval of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and certification by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Its vehicles’ distinctive design characteristics and affordable pricing have helped Vento Motorcycles U.S.A. become one of the fastest growing motorcycle and powersports companies in America over the past few years. Vento currently has expansion plans underway in North America and is reviewing major opportunities city by city, state by state. On an international level, Vento is the number one motorcycle and powersports retailer in Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico and has recently expanded into, Indonesia, Greece, Spain, and Venezuela.
In May 2006, Vento opened its North American sales and support center, located at 1600 Sarno Road, Suite #108, in Melbourne, Florida. The Florida facility provides marketing and product development support for the company’s San Diego management, and support for Vento’s regional sales teams, distributors and dealers across North America. With the opening of the company’s Florida offices, Vento operations now span the U.S. – from Atlantic to Pacific coasts.
Dennis
He did not like the look, he wanted something more sporty looking? He was looking at the Yamaha Zuma and then Saw a Vento Zip and fell in love with it. He only wanted a 50cc so he did not have to worry about the license and only has a 5 mile commute. The one he bought is the first one in this line of scoots in the photo below.
