LML India

LML, formerly known as Lohia Machines Private Limited, is India's leading manufacturers and has 30% of the market share. The company first started its technical collaboration with ARCT, France and got involved in synthetic Yarn Manufacturing Machines. LML became a public limited company in 1978. In 1984 LML started its scooter project after signing technical agreement with Piaggio of Italy. LML's joint venture with Piaggio ended in 1999. Soon after, an agreement was signed with Daelim Motor Company of South Korea to manufacture 4-stroke motorcycles.Indian Ministry of Science and Technology, recognized the company in 2000 for its remarkable success, in introducing new models of scooters in the market with more fuel-efficient engines, new electrical systems, latest emission norms, upgraded technology and better styling.

LML production is mainly in the metal body geared scooter with models like NV Xpress, Star Xpress, Select II, Pulse and the Sensation, which faced decline in 2006. The company in order to regain its supremacy in the automobile market, launched two-stroke metal body geared scooters, including two and four-stroke plastic bodied gearless scooters, both in geared and gearless versions. LML tied with Bitubo of Italy for components such as advanced front and rear suspension systems. LML's new vehicles sported new features such as disc brakes, electric start, digital ignition and auto lube. LML made a comeback with 'Vespa' branded geared scooters and launched 1500ccc Vespa into the market, after a break of 14 months.

Due to severe financial crunch LML, stopped its major production in Kanpur plant. Before this, LML had five motorcycle models in the domestic market, and used to sell around 1,000 units a month, in the national capital (Delhi). But LML soon bounced back and regained its position by exporting geared scooters abroad in the countries like Egypt, West Asia and Africa, besides Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Boosted by the robust domestic demand for scooters, LML is all set to gradually get into Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and then to West Bengal, Assam and few other states. LML, India's leading scooter manufacturers has been one of the fifth largest players in the motorcycle segment in India. Its future strategy to stronghold their position in the market includes, selling spare parts online, facilitate authorized dealers with a WAN (wide area network) and setting up training schools to train mechanics in Mumbai, Kanpur, Bangalore, Calcutta and Noida.