Vespa LX 125 to be launched in India - Dancewiththeshadows.com

Vespa is planning to start its third innings in India as the brand’s parent company; Piaggio is in final stages of building scooter manufacturing plant at Baramati in Maharashtra. It will reportedly launch a Vespa LX 125 as its first scooter. But why we call it the third innings?

Vespa in India

The production of Vespa scooters was first licensed by Piaggio to Bajaj Auto in 1960s. Vespa later sold as LML Vespa in partnership (from 1983) with Lohia Machinery Limited (LML) based in Kanpur. The partnership ended in 1999 after a long dispute between LML and Vespa. Hence, now, through Piaggio, the parent company’s strong market presence, Vespa is planning a strong footed third innings this time.

Vespa versus Competition

The automatic-geared scooter segment in the country is currently led by Honda (Activa) and TVS (Scooty). Further, the world’s 4^th largest two-wheeler maker, Piaggio, is taking Indian two-wheeler market seriously and will launch its entire Vespa range apart from premium sports motorcycles such as Aprilia (RSV4 Factory) and some of its other brands including Derbi, Gilera and Moto Guzzi.

Piaggio and its plans for Indian market

Piaggio unveiled two of its iconic brand two-wheeler products in India on Thursday. They were the Aprilia RSV4 Factory superbike and Vespa LX 125 scooter. Ravi Chopra, CMD of Piaggio Vehicles India told Times of India, said, “Aprilia will give Piaggio the visibility and branding in the two-wheeler market and help us showcase our technological advancement.” He added that Aprilia will be a niche product and Piaggio plans to sell the bikes through dealerships in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.

Talking on the upcoming Barmati plant which will have an initial capacity to manufacture 150,000 units of scooter per annum at an investment of 30 million euro, Chopra said that Piaggio is gearing up for Vespa’s launch and plan is to have around 70 dealerships by the end of this year. Piaggio plans to pitch Vespa LX125 as a value-for-money offering into the market.

Interestingly, since customers are price conscious, 100% localization is the key to price the products competitively and Piaggio will do the same with its Vespa LX 125. The company has already tied up component suppliers for this, and the plans are on schedule. Hopefully, the Vespa would come in around the first quarter of next year, according to Chopra.

Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited is a fully-owned subsidiary of Piaggio, Italy. The company has 760 sales points pan-India and besides the investing for manufacturing Vespa scooters, Piaggio is also setting up a facility to manufacture diesel and petrol engines at Baramati at an investment of 60 million euros.

About Vespa

Vespa is a cult brand in European countries. The success of Vespa resulted in the formation of the Vespa World Club in 2006, bringing together 35 international Vespa clubs and 685 Italian Vespa clubs. Currently, Vespa is produced at Piaggio’s plants in Pontedera, Italy; Vinh Phuc, Vietnam and soon at Baramati from 2012 onwards. So far, over 17 million Vespas have been sold worldwide.

Vespa 125cc LX 124 scooter will be Piaggio’s re-entry vehicle into India

Piaggio, who owns the Vespa brand of scooters, is all set to make a comeback to the Indian two-wheeler market as early as 2012.

This was disclosed after the company’s board meeting held in Milan recently. The first Vespa scooter to roll out of the factory will be the Vespa LX 125, which has been specially designed for India keeping into mind the various conditions here.

Piaggio plans to start production of the Vespa LX 125 in India according to Roberto Colaninno, Director, Piaggio & C. S.p.A.

Vespa brand of scooters have always had a special place in the hearts of millions. These scooters are known for their design, grace and simplicity. In fact, it is for Vespa that scooters have become famous around the world.

Piaggio plans to set up a new facility for its range of two-wheelers which would also be supported by Piaggio’s three-wheeler commercial arm in India, Piaggio Vehicles Private Ltd.

The total investment to setup the new plant is said to be in the region of 30 million Euros and would be invested in planned phases in the year 2010 and 2011. The new Piaggio plant would have a production capacity of 1,50,000 units annually and it will be fully operational by the end of 2012 when the LX 125 is launched. According to the plan, Piaggio will plan to sell 1,10,000 scooters by 2015.

India happens to be the second largest two wheeler market in the world after China, and the Indian market has grown nearly 7% in the last five years. This would be surely interesting the Italian two wheeler giant who was earlier in the Indian market along with LML. Piaggio is already in the Indian three wheeler market, and is one of the big players here. Hence that knowledge and experience would surely help in a big way for this re-entry into the Indian two wheeler market.

So far, there is no information on the pricing on the Vespa LX 125 when the company would launch it in India.Source - 

http://www.dancewithshadows.com/autoindia/vespa-lx-125-to-be-launched-in-india/

Vespa gears up for a third trip to India - The Times of India

The iconic Vespa is set for its third innings in India as parent Piaggio is in final stages of setting up its scooter plant at Baramati in Maharashtra.

The Italian company is looking to make inroads into the fast-growing scooter market that is currently dominated by Honda and TVS. And Piaggio has big plans for the market.

After launching the 125cc Vespa LX125 next year, Piaggio plans to bring in a fuller range that would include more scooters from the Vespa range apart from motorcycles from its other brands.

Piaggio, which has seven brands of scooters, motorcycles and small commercial vehicles, started its fresh two-wheeler campaign on Thursday with the launch of its premium Aprilia range of superbikes that would come in as imports and carry hefty price tags ranging between Rs 13 lakh and Rs 18 lakh. "Aprilia will give Piaggio the visibility and branding in the two-wheeler market and help us showcase our technological advancement," Ravi Chopra, CMD of Piaggio Vehicles India, told TOI.

"Aprilia will be a niche product and we plan to sell the bikes through dealerships in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai," he added. Aprilia, a brand bought by Piaggio in 2004, was earlier slated to come to India in partnership with the Munjals of the Hero Group.

The company's Baramati plant will have an initial capacity of 150,000 units per annum at an investment of e30 million. Chopra said the capacity can be increased if required. "We are gearing up for Vespa's launch and plan to have around 70 dealerships by the end of this year. We plan to pitch it as a value-for-money offering into the market."

Chopra said the company was looking at 100% localization for Vespa. "This will enable us to be competitive," Chopra said. The company has already tied up component suppliers for this, and he said plans were on schedule. "The Vespa would come in around the first quarter of next year," he added.

The automatic transmission LX 125 carries the famed Vespa design and sports a single-cylinder four-stroke engine. The success of Vespa has resulted in the formation of the Vespa World Club in 2006, which brings together 35 international Vespa clubs and 685 Italian Vespa clubs to form a platform for the Vespa cult. Produced at Piaggio's plants in Pontedera, Italy; Vinh Phuc, Vietnam and soon at Baramati, over 17 million Vespas have been sold till 2010.

And while it makes a fresh pitch in India, the Vespa brand enjoys a long history here. Piaggio had first licensed the production of Vespa scooters to Bajaj Auto in 1960s. In 1971, however, Piaggio's licence was not renewed by the then government. The company also partnered LML Motors in 1983, which produced the P-Series scooters. But, the partnership ended in 1999 after long disputes between the partners.

Read more: Vespa gears up for a third trip to India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Vespa-gears-up-for-a-third-trip-to-India/articleshow/7330328.cms#ixzz1C1PIIqQP

Piaggio to Launch Vespa LX125 in 2012 in India - Bikeadvice.in

According to Times of India news Piaggio, the Italian two wheelers and three wheelers manufacturing company is to enter Indian scooter market. Piaggio will launch its Vespa brand which was there in India before a decade. The company is in final stages of setting up its scooter plant at Baramati in Maharashtra. The company’s Baramati plant will have an initial capacity of 150,000 units per annum at an investment of approximately Rs. 200 crore (30 million Euro). The company can increased the capacity if required.
According to Ravi Chopra, CMD of Piaggio Vehicles India, “We are gearing up for Vespa’s launch and plan to have around 70 dealerships by the end of this year. We plan to pitch it as a value-for-money offering into the market.
The company is looking for 100% localization for Vespa LX 125. This will enable us to be competitive. The company has already tied up component suppliers plans are on schedule. The Vespa LX 125 would come in around the first quarter of next year.” It means that in the first quarter of 2012 Piaggio will launch Vespa LX 125.
This is the third time Vespa brand is going to launch in Indian market. The first Vespa scooters were launched in 1960 by Bajaj Auto in India. Bajaj Auto had acquired license from Piaggio which was last till 1971. After that Piaggio reentered in India in 1983 partnering with LML Motors in 1983 which was last till 1999.
Piaggio Vespa LX125 has four stroke 125 cc automatic transmission (CVT) engine which produces 10.7 bhp and 9.6Nm that too with retro type Vespa look. Brand Vespa is known worldwide. It has 35 international and 685 Italian clubs under the Vespa World Club. Till the date over 17 million Vespas have been sold.
Piaggio, which has seven brands of scooters, motorcycles and small commercial vehicles. It also owns Aprilia brand which it bought in the year 2004. After launching the 125cc Vespa LX125 next year, Piaggio plans to bring in a fuller range that would include more scooters from the Vespa range apart from motorcycles from its other brands.
The company’s has started its first two wheeler campaign with the launch of its premium Aprilia superbikes through CBU route will range between 13 lakhs to 18 lakhs rupees. On the launch Mr. Chopra said that Aprilia will give Piaggio the visibility and branding in the two-wheeler market and help them to showcase their technological advancement. Aprilia will be a niche product and they plan to sell the bikes through dealerships in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. Earlier the company was planning to launch its two wheelers in partnership with the Munjals of Hero group.
India world’s second biggest market of two wheelers is catching fancy of every two wheeler manufacturer in the world. Nearly 11 million two wheelers sold during the year 2010. According to an estimate market size for two wheelers will double within five years from now. Past 6 months have seen tremendous growth in scooter segment which is more than motorcycle segment. The scooter segment is largely dominated by Honda, Hero Honda and TVS. With the entry of Piaggio consumers will surely have better, reliable and value for money scooters.

This is an article from from: BikeAdvice.in - The Indian Bike Blog 

Vintage Scooters and Mopeds - Pune Mirror

Back with a bang!, News - Nation - Pune Mirror,Pune Mirror

Make way for the Lambrettas, Vespas, Javas, Yezdis, Aerials and Nortons.

These vintage bikes and scooters are back in demand in Bangalore following a huge demand for them in the West. Such two-wheelers, which until recently only had scrap value, are now being sold for anything from Rs 40,000 to Rs 75,000. Ads for these vehicles are flooding the internet.

Sudhakar, a 32-year-old resident of Ulsoor and a collector of these vintage bikes, explains that the demand for these vintage two-wheelers is something new and exciting for Bangaloreans.

Now, with some of these vehicles being valued close to Rs 1 lakh, Sudhakar’s excitement is quite understandable. His fascination for these vehicles dates back to his college days. He used to get these old scooters painted attractively and turn heads in college to counter the rich guys who would ride the latest bikes.

 After buying a Lambretta scooter for Rs 30,000, Sudhakar spent close to Rs 15,000 for painting and spares. He now plans to sell it for Rs 60,000. Except for tyres, nothing is Indian in his scooter. “Though it is bulky to push and pull, once you kick off, it is almost like flying in the air,” he adds. He says the company has reopened in the West and is buying all the models. Sudhakar plans to sell his 1972 Lambretta Roller, made in England.

Sudhakar is not the only one. Nazeer Ahmed is also among those Bangaloreans cashing in on this new-found love for vintage bikes and scooters. This resident of Kodandaramanagar near Pulikeshinagar (Frazer Town) recently sold his Norton 500 cc to a German automobile showroom. He is now ready to sell his 40-year-old 48 cc Italian made Lambretta Moped. “I bought it (moped) for Rs 2,000 nearly 28 years ago. The first bike I got was when I was 12 years old. As we ran our own workshop and iron fabrication industry, my inclination towards these bikes was natural. A few months ago, I was told that there has been a great demand in Germany for these mopeds, which were so widely used during World War II.

Some showroom owners bought it and today they have displayed it in their showroom. Nobody but me touched that bike,” claims Nazeer. He uses his single-seater 1960 Lambretta Moped occasionally. Even today, its mileage is 45-50 km per litre and it can reach a top speed of 70 kmph. It can be compared to the present day Hero Puch. Unlike Puch, it does not have a kick start but can be started by pedalling.

The Bajaj Chetak Nostalgia - Pune Mirror,Pune Mirror

It’s interesting that all this nostalgia is spilling now, a few years after the Chetak was discontinued, simply because Rajiv Bajaj chose to make a big deal about the demise of the uninspired Kristal. It almost seems like the whole brouhaha was calculated to spite his father. No one will really miss the Kristal, but the decision is important on a symbolic level, and it seems strange to absolutely rule out future scooter production. Which makes me even more positive that a retro Chetak is imminent, ha. Then again, LML has that market pretty well covered now. - 2strokebuzz

Son rise , News - Latest - Pune Mirror,Pune Mirror

Finally, the generation gap has caught up with Rahul Bajaj! The two-wheeler giant Bajaj Auto will now stop making scooters, and the old man is not happy with his son and Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj’s decision to exit production of scooters.

It is the end of an era and the demise of a philosophy: that two-wheelers were meant to move from point A to B. Today, it is the age of the fast bikes. And our inhouse expert agrees with the company’s new ideology.

Group chairman and Rajiv’s father, Rahul Bajaj has made his feelings clear about the scooters’ forthcoming demise. “I feel bad, I feel hurt.

I can’t say harm the company and its shareholders by doing something you should not do... But I am still not convinced. He [Rajiv] has tried to explain it to me,” were his exact words.

However, the young MD rebuffed the emotional outburst by saying: “I care less for the solution from emotions, I believe more in the magic of logic.

Brands that are more sharply positioned are brands that are more profitable... It [scooter] is not a really profitable market.”

For an expert’s opinion on this situation, Pune Mirror talked to Adil Jal Darukhanawala, editor of zigwheels. com. He said: “Rajiv Bajaj’s decision to stop production of scooters is a sound businessman’s move.

The type of scooters Bajaj used to make have become a relic of the old times; one hardly sees them on the road anyway.

Motorcycles are the hot wheels of today and the future.” He added, “"Nostalgia is one thing and the hard reality is something else.

Agreed, the company was formed to manufacture scooters. Its first scooter model Chetak was launched in 1972 and remained its flagship model right until the mid-90s.

Bajaj stopped manufacturing Chetak four years ago. The 100-cc gearless Kristal will be phased out by the current fiscal. But all said and done, a company has to focus on the global trends and move with the times.”

“The Pulsar was conceived to offer a much-needed sporty alternative and that did the trick for Bajaj both from a motorcycle point of view as well as a financial stand point,” Darukhanawala said.

He added, “India is the second largest 2-wheeler market with about 7 million bikes being produced annually, with China topping the list with an output of 12 million.

Out of India's 7-million annual output of two-wheelers, 5.5 million comprises motorbikes and the rest of the 1.5 million is made up of scooters, scooterettes and mopeds.

So, it only makes some solid sense to look at the bigger game rather than being a petty hunter. The way the company is structuring its business by having the largest, most robust R&D in the country, says a lot about the direction it’s taking," Darukhanawala signed off.

All that is best summed up in Rajiv Bajaj’s words, “Bharat has changed, Buland has changed, Bajaj has changed.”

LML Revival

Geared scooters are back in business, and first off the line in this revival is LML's NV 4-Stroke which was recently introduced in Delhi and Faridabad.

Rewind twenty years, to a scene on a typical Indian street. The eighties are roaring, and the new liberated mantra for personal mobility is reverse engineered Italian style-icons, known to the world as scooters. In all likelihood, seven out of ten vehicles you would have encountered would have been puttering two-stroke scooters. Of course, the age of Japanese 4-stroke motorcycles rang the death knell for the 2-strokers in India, but their charm and real world practicality has seen them thrive internationally.

LML has been one of the major players in the erstwhile scooter-happy market, and the company now has plans of reviving the trend of convenient geared scooters in the country. The scooter manufacturer has been in business exporting its products offshore, but has recently returned to its roots by launching its first product in India after many years in the form of the LML NV 4-Stroke.

Source - Zigwheels

LML launches new 150cc LML NV 4-stroke scooter

LML launches new 150cc LML NV 4-stroke scooter

Lohia Motors India Limited, the company whose identity was almost forgotten by Indians although it had some good product to its credit including LML Vespa resurfaced in the domestic market with re-engineered scooters in the scooter segment with new LML NV 150cc.

There is an increasing demand of scooters in the Indian market and LML rightfully wanted to cash in on the demand and consolidate its position yet again in the scooter segment, but this time in collaboration with a Korean company Daelim in select markets of Ghaziabad and Delhi. The scooters from the anvils of LML are known for speed, stability, power and pickup, let us review if this will be the same with the new 150CC LML NV.

Looks wise the new LML 150cc scooter comes with excellent body graphics, cushioned backrest for better ergonomics and a big taillight for attractive appeal. The new handle bar design reflects new style, and there is improved speedometer with utility box. The seat saddle is spacious providing satisfying riding experience.

LML NV 150cc scooter will be available in two models, the base model and the upgraded deluxe variant. The new LML 4-stroke scooter runs on air-cooled single cylinder engine, displacing 150cc and will generate maximum power output of 8bhp@5500 rpm with a three-port technology.

The best part of the new LML 150cc scooter is how the engine produces so much power, making riding experience smooth and also fun filled. The engine of LML NV is comes with electronic ignition system. And, there is a 4-speed gearbox which is a compact unit, and it uses two cables. The clutch system is smooth but the new LML NV 150 cc scooter lacks the auto lubrication system which is almost a norm in today's 4-stroke scooters. The LML NV comes with drum brakes both front and rear and the wheelbase larger at 1235mm provide greater stability to the rider. The fuel tank capacity is about 8 liters and thats huge.

LML claims that both the variants of scooters deliver fuel efficiency of 55km/litre. The base version is expected to be available at ex-showroom price of Rs. 39,897 in Delhi for the base model and the other upgraded variant will be available Rs.40,800-00.

Currently, LML has limited presence in the Indian market, but with its new product launch it is expected to expand its market share in eastern India.

Those who thought that LML is dead, wake up, because the desi scooter maker and India’s largest scooter exporter, is now back with a bang and consumers will have more choice for the geared scooters.

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LML STAR for Europe

April 29th, 2009 - 2Strokebuzz reported yesterday that the new LML Star (known as the Genuine Stella in the USA) was finally announced to European markets. One could only assume that a US version isn't very far behind. Most interesting about the Star are its specs. Emissions requirements seemed to have taken quite a toll on the modernized engine as its only able to put out 7.7bhp. Many Chinese 150s put out at least this most power. While 7.7bhp isn't a bad starting point, the new motor is going to be much harder and more expensive to extract extra power out of the bike.
TECHNICAL SPECS Star Deluxe 150 3
Length 69 inches
Width 26 inches
Wheelbase 46 inches
Seat height 31 inches
Weight 229 lbs

Engine
Engineering two-stroke configuration, Euro 3, air-cooled
Displacement 150 cc
Bore 57.8 mm
9:1 compression
Maximum power 5.8 kW (7.7 bhp) at 5500 rpm
Injection system cdi
Starting Electric and Mechanical
Catalyzed muffler
Fuel tank capacity 2.5 gallons including 1.06 quart reserve
1.06 quart oil tank
Manual Gearbox 4-speed transmission

Chassis
Steel shell configuration
A front suspension swinging arm, coil spring and hydraulic shock double
Carter engine rear suspension according to the oscillating hydraulic shock double

Brakes
Configuring Front: disc in stainless steel 200 mm - Rear: 150 mm drum
Tires 3.50 - 10
Beacon lamp 12 volt - 35/35 watt
Arrows lamp 12 volt - 5 volt watt/12 - 10 watts
12 volt battery - 9 Ah
Fuse 8 amp
Top speed 85 + / -5 in fourth gear

Source - http://www.scooter-news.com/index.php/en/component/content/266?task=view

LML News - Latest !!

I, as a avid Vespa Fan, have been following this news line from a long time.... So this is the 

Latest - 16 May 2009 - 

The struggling two wheeler company, LML, unveils its second geared scooter in the domestic market, on the sidelines of a current market situation where there is increasing demand for scooters. LML has introduced a 4-stroke version of its NV brand of scooters in select market of Delhi and Ghaziabad. The new launch would be available in two variants and LML claims the 150 cc scooter will deliver a fuel efficiency of 55 km/liter. It is available at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 39,897 for the base version and Rs 40,800 for the deluxe variant in Delhi.

Source - http://news.infibeam.com/blog/news/2009/05/16/lml_announces_latest_version_of_nv_brand_scooter.html
Another Link - http://www.jimandaz.com/13/lml_introduces_new_version_nv_brand_scooters.htm

And Another - http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Auto/Two-wheelers/LML-launches-new-version-of-NV-brand-scooter/articleshow/4535388.cms