Vespa scooters in India soon

The news that LML (Lohia Motors Ltd.) was planning a relaunch of the Vespa scooter in India has been doing the rounds for a while.

Vespa scooters back soon

Some of us have had a Bajaj as their first scooter. For others in my generation, it was often a Kinetic Honda or an LML Vespa.

If you remember, we had the LML Vespa  and LML Vespa NV Super. Maybe even more. All of them were 150 cc (except a 100 or 125 cc one, I think.)

Piaggio sort of could not handle the competition though. Kinetic went from strength to strength, and so did the new entrants. Even Honda entered the scooter market in India.

LML will now bring some Piaggio models to India, possibly in 2010. Exactly which models, no one is sure.

Vespa now has several models in Europe starting from 50 cc and going up to the 278 cc Vespa GTS Super. Unlike most other scooter manufacturers, Vespa has managed to stick to classic / retro designs for their range. This makes them very popular in the European market which appreciates those kind of lines and shapes.

Will it work in India? Generally India has not seen enough modern vehicles for us to appreciate classic designs. However, the new Vespa models are very well put together, have great finish – and if LML can replicate that manufacturing quality and offer some fuel efficient engines, there is no reason why Vespa’s relaunch in India should not be a success.

Price and fuel efficiency can make or break a scooter in India and that is what LML will have to ensure it gets right when it finally launches Vespa models here.