LML
Encyclopedia
LML is an Indian scooter
and motorcycle manufacturer
based in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
.
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 dividend
s 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.
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
and motorcycle manufacturer
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
based in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
.
History and overview
Incorporated as Lohia Machines Private Limited in 1978, the company was engaged in manufacture of synthetic yarnSynthetic fiber
Synthetic fibers are the result of extensive research by scientists to improve on naturally occurring animal and plant fibers. In general, synthetic fibers are created by forcing, usually through extrusion, fiber forming materials through holes into the air, forming a thread...
manufacturing machines in technical collaboration with ARCT, France. In 1978, it became a public limited company
Public limited company
A public limited company is a limited liability company that sells shares to the public in United Kingdom company law, in the Republic of Ireland and Commonwealth jurisdictions....
and diversified into processing synthetic yarn.
In 1984 a technical collaboration agreement was signed with Piaggio
Piaggio
Piaggio based in Pontedera, Italy encompasses seven brands of scooters, motorcycles and compact commercial vehicles. As the fourth largest producer of scooters and motorcycles in the world, Piaggio produces more than 600,000 vehicles annually, with five research and development centers, more than...
of Italy and a scooter
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
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
Stella (scooter)
Stella is a model of a vintage-style scooter imported into the United States by Chicago-based Genuine Scooters since 2003, and manufactured by LML in Kanpur, India.-History:...
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
Daelim Motor Company
Daelim Motor Company aka DMC, a subsidiary of the Daelim Group, is a South Korean motorcycle Daelim Motor Company aka DMC, a subsidiary of the Daelim Group, is a South Korean motorcycle Daelim Motor Company aka DMC, a subsidiary of the Daelim Group, is a South Korean motorcycle (Daelim Motor...
of South Korea to manufacture 4-stroke motorcycles. In 2000 the company was recognized by the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology (India)
The Ministry of Science and Technology is the Indian government ministry charged with formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to science and technology in India.The current minister is Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh....
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
Multi-valve
In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design...
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 dividend
Dividend
Dividends are payments made by a corporation to its shareholder members. It is the portion of corporate profits paid out to stockholders. When a corporation earns a profit or surplus, that money can be put to two uses: it can either be re-invested in the business , or it can be distributed to...
s being declared only twice to its shareholders. New finance has been obtained from Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse
The Credit Suisse Group AG is a Swiss multinational financial services company headquartered in Zurich, with more than 250 branches in Switzerland and operations in more than 50 countries.-History:...
and other institutions and the factory reopened on March 8, 2008 to manufacture geared Vespa
Vespa
Vespa is an Italian brand of scooter manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian.The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A...
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 150Stella (scooter)Stella is a model of a vintage-style scooter imported into the United States by Chicago-based Genuine Scooters since 2003, and manufactured by LML in Kanpur, India.-History:...
, 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