Lohia Machinery Limited

For other uses, see LML (disambiguation).

LML

Predecessor(s)	Lohia Machines Private Limited
Founded	1978
Headquarters	Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Products	Scooters
Revenue	264 crores in 2009-2011
Operating income	loss
Net income	loss
Website	http://www.lmlworld.com/Home.aspx

LML (formerly Lohia Machines Ltd) is an Indian scooter and motorcycle manufacturer based in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

History and overview

Incorporated as Lohia Machines Private Limited in 1978, the company was engaged in manufacture of synthetic yarn manufacturing machines in technical collaboration with ARCT, France. In 1978, it became a public limited company and diversified into processing synthetic yarn.

In 1984 a technical collaboration agreement was signed with Piaggio of Italy and a scooter project was set up. The relationship with Piaggio was redefined to that of a partner in 1990, both partners having equal equity participation of 23.6% each.

The LML Select was launched in 1993, with new age technology and aesthetics, and became an instant success. LML's joint venture with Piaggio ended in 1999.

LML continued to manufacture the Star, a classically styled steel-bodied scooter with twist-shift 4-speed manual transmission and a 150cc two-stroke engine.

Some of these were distributed in the United States as the Stella and in the UK as A.K. International (AKII). AKII's Aura LML & A.K. International (I&E) Ltd was appointed the sole distributor for UK In 2008. Star Deluxe was re-introduced to the U.K. market by AKII (I&E) Ltd, with the Via Toscana as the Euro 3 emissions compliant model.

Again in 1999, an agreement was signed with Daelim Motor Company of South Korea to manufacture 4-stroke motorcycles. In 2000 the company was recognized by the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology for remarkable success in introducing new models/upgrades of scooters in the market with more fuel-efficient engines, new electrical systems, latest emission norms, upgraded technology, better styling etc., and that year entered the motorcycle market with upper end lifestyle bikes in 100 cc, using 3-valve technology.

Freedom LML's first deluxe commuter motorcycle in 110 cc, was launched in 2002. The next year Spirit of Freedom (range expansion through colours) was launched. In 2004 the company introduced the LML Graptor, marking its entry into the 150 cc lifestyle segment. It was the first indigenously designed bike from Ugolini of Italy. 2004 marked LML's transition from a single product company to a multi-product two wheeler company with three simultaneous launches: the LML Graptor (150 cc), the LML Freedom Prima (110 cc) and LML Freedom Prima (125 cc).

Owing to excesses and over-spending the company has been under financial constraints ever since its foray into bi-wheeler manufacturing, with dividends being declared only twice to its shareholders. New finance has been obtained from Credit Suisse and other institutions and the factory reopened on March 8, 2008 to manufacture geared Vespa style scooters, primarily for export.

Current motorcycle lines

LML scooters are sold under different names and slightly different specifications across the world:

• LML 'Star' 2 stroke sold in:
  • India as the LML NV SPL (2008 onwards)
  • UK/Europe as the LML 'Star DLX' in 125cc and 150cc versions
  • Egypt as the LML 'Speedy' in 150cc version
  • Italy as the LML 'Star 2S' in 125cc and 150cc version, imported by LML Italia (September 2009 onwards)
  • UK as the LML 'Via Toscana' 125 (2009), imported by AKII (I&E) Ltd
  • North America as the LML STELLA 150, imported by Genuine Scooters
  • New Zealand as the LML 'Bella Donna RV' in 150cc version, imported by Retroscooter Co.
  • Japan as the LML 'Star Deluxe 2s' by LML Japan
• LML 'Star' 4 stroke sold in:
  • India (Delhi and Ghaziabad only) as the LML 'Speedy 4T' in 150cc version (2009 onwards)
  • India (local market only) as the LML 'Select 4 KS' (kickstart) and 'Select 4 ES' (electric start)(2011)
  • Italy/Europe as the LML 'Star 4S' in 125, 150, 151, 200cc, 200i (electronic injection) versions imported by LML Italia
  • Japan as the LML 'Star Deluxe 4s' by LML Japan
  • Thailand as the LML 'Stella' by Thai Charoen Motorbike

Past productions

• Vespa 100 XE (known as PX100E in Europe)
• Vespa 150
• Vespa 150 DZ
• Vespa 150 Alfa
• Vespa 150 NV
• Vespa 150 T5
• Vespa 200 T5
• Vespa 150 Smart
• Vespa 150 Select
• Vespa 150 A-1

• LML Supremo
• LML Select II
• LML Sensation
• LML Star
• LML Star DLX
• LML Star Xpress
• LML Prithvi
• LML Pulse
• LML Clipper, LML Cleo and LML Infinity
• LML Speedy (2-stroke)
• LML Energy FX
• LML Adreno FX
• LML Graptor
• LML Beamer
• LML Freedom
• LML CRD100