While the auto industry continues to suffer, the scooter market is up 66 percent in the first half of 2008 compared to the same period a year ago. You might think that the same is happening for motorcycle”s, but sales overall have only gone up 0.5 percent in the segment since they are seen as expensive and gas-guzzling forms of transportation.

According to Paolo Timoni, president of Piaggio Group Americas, the maker of the Vespa scooter, 5 yeas ago most people were purchasing scooters for recreational purposes.

“Nowadays, most of the people that buy this vehicle buy them as an alternative transportation vehicle,” Timoni told CNNMoney in an interview.

Besides being affordable, scooters get between 60 and 100 miles to the gallon – motorcycles average about 40 to 60 miles per gallon.

Source: CNNMoney