The Aprilia brand was acquired by the Piaggio Group in 2004 and immediately M. Demajo & Co Ltd started to introduce and import these scooters along with super bikes like the RSV4R and other Aprilia models. Today, Aprilia scooters and motorcycles are one of the most popular for their sporty looks and fantastic designs in the local 2 wheeler sector. Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has more recently come to be known for its race-winning sportbikes. It is also known for its flagship 1,000 cc V-twin Superbike, the RSV Mille and latest V4-based RSV4. Founded after the Second World War by Cavaliere Alberto Beggio, as a bicycle production factory at Noale, Italy in the province of Venice. The first production Aprilia mopeds were named Colibrì, Daniela and Packi. Aprilia later produced a motocross bike in 1970 called the Scarabeo. Produced until the end of the 1970s, In 1977 Ivan Alborghetti from Milan, Italy won the Italian 125 and 250 cc motorcross championships on Aprilias. In 1990 Aprilia launched the Pegaso 600, a road bike derived from off-road mechanics. Later, in 1992 Aprilia rider Alessandro Gramigni won the World 125 Road Racing Championship title. Also in 1992, Tommy Ahvala won the World Trials Championship on an Aprilia Climber. Since then, Aprilia has 124 times won 125 and 250 cc class Grand Prix, 15 Road Racing World Championship titles, and 16 European speed titles. Many world champions started on Aprilia such as Biaggi, Capirossi, Gramigni, Locatelli, Sakata and Rossi.