Overview of LML

Lohia Machinery Limited (LML), based in India, had permission to produce Vespas under licence from Piaggio for many years. 1998 marked the company's peak year, in which it sold an impressive 325,000 scooters. With the end of the partnership with Piaggio in 1999, LML began producing its own motorbikes and scooters.

The history of LML dates back to 1972, when the company was founded in the Indian city of Kanpur. Originally, the company concentrated on the manufacture of synthetic fibres and leather goods. Ten years later, the technical cooperation with Piaggio began and the company produced the Vespa PX 100 E with a 100 cc Engine under licence. In 1985, the Vespa PX 150 E was introduced, followed by the Vespa 150 DZ the next year. in 1990, LML decided to abandon all other business areas and concentrate entirely on the manufacture of scooters.

This marked the beginning of the company's golden era, as the economic boom in India created an Elevation in the need for mobility for millions of people. By 1999, LML had become India's leading motorbike manufacturer. But when Piaggio's licence expired, LML had to develop its own models. This led to the beginning of a slow decline. An extended strike in 2006 forced LML to close its factories and cease production. Production only resumed in March 2008, with the new models, the LML Star, which were strongly reminiscent of the Vespa PX, being produced mainly for export. These scooters with four-stroke engines were particularly popular in Europe and the USA, as Piaggio continued to produce two-stroke Vespas.

Despite all its efforts, LML steadily lost market share and the production of its own motorbikes could not reverse the trend. LML failed to regain its market share in India and filed for bankruptcy in 2018 after 46 years of operation.

LML model history

The LML Star was produced and sold in various versions from 1997 to 2017. The big comeback was announced in September 2022. The company is now called LML Emotion Private Limited and the newly announced LML Star no longer runs on petrol, but on electricity.

LML Models at SIP Scootershop

• Star 125 2T/ DLX / Via Toscana / Deluxe 125 ccm 2T AC

• Star 125 4T / Deluxe 125 4S / Speedy / Stella 125 ccm 4T AC

• Star 125 4T Automatica/ Deluxe/ II CVT/Stella Automatic 125 ccm 4T AC

• Star 150 2T / DLX / Via Toscana / Star / Stella / Belladonna RV 150 ccm 2T AC

• Star 150 4T / Deluxe 150 4S / Speedy / Stella 150 cc 4T AC

• Star 150 4T Automatica/CVT 151 ccm 4T AC

• Star 200 4T/ Deluxe 4S 200 cc 4T AC 2012

• Star Lite 125 4T Automatica/ CVT 125 ccm 4T AC '15-