The Italian motorbike manufacturer PIAGGIO (Vespa brand; turnover of around EUR 1.36 billion in 2000) is preparing to take control of its Italian rival MV AGUSTA (annual turnover of around EUR 152.5 million) to form, in the long-term, the world's fourth largest behind the Japanese HONDA, YAMAHA and KAWASAKI. According to the plan being studied, PIAGGIO will first acquire 25% to 30% of MV AGUSTA before completely merging with it.