The winds of change are sweeping Manhattan.  Purveyor of traditional four-wheeled motorcars, Potamkin Automotive, has gone high-mileage, small carbon footprint, by dedicating some valuable showroom space to Italian hipster scooter maker, Vespa and its two-wheeled cousins.

We happened by the launch event to peruse some of the handsome scooters in the Vespa (above R), and Piaggio (above L) lines.  Packed with motor heads and freewheeling types, we had the opportunity to chat with Paolo, President of Piaggo Group Americas; and Bruno, top guy at Potamkin — our new paisanos en verde.

Will the 5 cents-a-mile scooters soon be replacing gasoline-gulping cars on our Manhattan streets?  Only time will tell…Maybe the addition of some parking spaces for the two-wheeled vehicles might get the ball rolling.  Learn about the tax benefits, (available through 12.31.09), of these cool rides.

Vespa Potamkin Manhattan is located on 11th Avenue @ 55th Street. They have a new Website, too – vespapotamkin