How does Piaggio Medley compete with SH125i in Vietnam?

Medley takes advantage of the company's unique design strengths and innovative technology to compete with Japanese competitors.

The Vietnamese scooter market is divided into two opposing regions when it comes to the high-end segment. If you fall in love with Piaggio’s stylish Italian design, you have to overlook other inherent weaknesses in the engine. On the contrary, if you want to choose a durable model like Honda, a sophisticated design is difficult to achieve.

But of course, every company is ambitious.

SH, despite its controversial new design since 2013, is still the preferred choice of Vietnamese customers in the 70 million and above segment. Piaggio wants to compete more, especially when the market is gradually developing towards the trend of prioritizing scooters, which is the traditional advantage of the Italian car company for hundreds of years. Medley is the answer.

Piaggio Medley. Photo: Duc Huy.

When Medley was launched, it faced many concerns from experts about another case similar to Beverly when it did not suit the needs of Vietnamese customers. However, Piaggio has reason to be confident about the new product, as Medley overcomes the shortcomings of the previous large-wheeled scooter line.

The Beverly design is not popular with Vietnamese customers because it is too aggressive, giving the feeling of a difficult vehicle to approach, similar to the failure of the previous Honda PS and @. Medley is different, the vehicle is lighter and more balanced. The point that makes people want to observe is that this scooter model gives a different feeling from each angle.

From the front angle, the Medley looks like a larger version of the Liberty, but from behind, it looks massive and masculine, while from the side, the Medley is much more balanced and playful than the Liberty. If the Liberty is a young boy who wants to express his personality, then the Medley is a grown man. This scooter is masculine, but in the carefree style of an Italian guy, not the strong, muscular style of an American guy.

The Italian car company shows its style by meticulously taking care of every small detail. The raised lines help the body of the car to be more solid, the V-shaped LED daytime running lights on the front and the rear lights are more attractive. The rear footrest folds neatly close to the side of the car, the front hook can be pushed neatly inside when not in use, the electric trunk opening button is right on the front handlebar and the mechanical trunk opening lever is hidden in the front trunk, there is also a USB port.

However, there are also design disadvantages. The front is quite similar to the Liberty, not giving a different highlight. The gas tank cap is located right under the floor of the car. During the endless rainy days of spring in Hanoi, every time you bend down to open the gas tank cap, your hands will get dirty, the owner should bring a towel in the trunk. The hidden lock makes you have to bend down to insert the key. The 14-inch rear wheel while the 16-inch front wheel makes the car look a bit lower, the SH's rear wheel is 16 inches, so it feels more muscular.

The plus point that Vietnamese customers really need in Medley is the large trunk, equal to Honda Lead, or twice as large as SH. Users can fit two full-face helmets and many other personal items such as handbags, laptops, raincoats. The small convenience that the vehicle brings to the driver is the LCD dashboard that displays a lot of useful information such as time, outdoor temperature, battery capacity, journey, and low fuel indicator light. These small points are not available on SH.

The watch face uses chrome with a luxurious effect, displaying a series of information.

Medley is the first Piaggio model to use the iGet engine technology, cooled by liquid. Previously, Liberty also used iGet but cooled by air. The new scooter is equipped with a 125cc single-cylinder, 4-valve, electronic fuel injection engine.cThe engine has a capacity of 12 horsepower at 8,250 rpm, maximum torque of 11.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm. These numbers are equivalent to the SH's 11.7 horsepower and 11.2 Nm.

Medley is also integrated with Start-Stop technology like some Honda vehicles called Idling Stop, which automatically turns off the engine when the vehicle stops for more than 3 seconds. Compared to other Piaggio models such as Vespa, Liberty, Medley gives the most solid and stable feeling when driving and rolling.

The 800 mm high saddle and neatly separated footrests help the driver quickly stabilize his posture and get used to the vehicle. When starting and rolling at low speed, regular Vespa customers will be surprised by the smoothness of the engine and exhaust. Noise, vibration, and steering wheel noise are all low and almost eliminated.

Medley is a Piaggio scooter model born for men, but a quiet man, not a lively guy. The specialty of being late to the throttle shows that. At speeds below 40 km/h, the vehicle shows obvious delay. If you are leisurely going 40 km/h and suddenly twist the throttle to chase a girl, Medley stops as if to consider, then receives the command and speeds off.

This style is different from SH. Honda's model, like its younger brother Air Blade, just twist the throttle and it goes, with low delay in the first move. Maybe Piaggio's engineers wanted the man on the Medley not to do anything too emotional and exciting. But on the contrary, that is also partly in common with the romantic but shy personality of Italian men.

In return for the initial water, the Medley shows a completely different face when it comes to the latter water. At about 50 km/h or more, the vehicle moves forward as soon as the driver touches the gas, without hesitation because it has gained momentum, and there is no more lag. The large 100 mm front and 110 mm rear tires help the vehicle run steadily, without floating even on the highway at a speed of 80 km/h. The Medley's shock absorbers are a bit stiffer than the SH's, but are superior in not getting tired from long distance travel.

The most notable of the series of technologies related to operation is the ABS anti-lock braking system on both wheels. Sitting on the Medley gives the driver more confidence and peace of mind when driving fast. Choose a wet, wet road with dirt on it and drive the car into it, at the top speed of 40 km/h or more, suddenly squeeze the brake all the way, the car stops after a short distance and does not skid. As soon as the brake is applied, the driver's hands will feel numb because at that time, the ABS is activated to help the brake squeeze and release continuously to avoid slipping due to wheel lock.

Honda does not integrate ABS for SH in the Vietnamese market. Because of this difference, along with the value of the Italian brand, Piaggio priced Medley at 71.5 million for the standard version and 72.5 million for the sporty S version. SH is slightly cheaper at 67 million.

Piaggio wants to compete with Honda not only in design but also in engines and supporting technology, things the Japanese are inherently stronger at. Victory depends largely on brand trust and the real needs of each customer.

According to VNE