LML launches four-stroke scooter variant
Though this may come as a big surprise to some, scooters with two-stroke engines are actually still on sale in India! Due to increasingly strict emissions norms, two-stroke engines died a gradual death more than a decade ago.
However, Kanpur-based LML (which had a tie-up with Vespa till 1999) is still making a few scooters that are fitted with two-stroke engines. Also, while the scooter market has shifted to CVT-type transmission, LML scooters still have manual-shift gearboxes.
While it continues to produce 125cc and 150cc two-stroke scooters, LML has now launched a new scooter with a 150cc four-stroke engine. There is no information available on where this new engine has been sourced from, but the scooter has been launched in Delhi and Ghaziabad, where it's priced at Rs 40,000.
LML ran into major financial trouble in 2005 and had to stop production for almost two years. The company started operating again in 2007, when it re-started production of geared two-stroke scooters at its Kanpur facility.
Operating under the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), LML manages to sell around 1,500 units in and around Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. With its new four-stroke scooter, the company plans to tap the scooters market in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam.
LML has also found an unlikely outlet for its two-stroke scooters, which have found a lot of fans in Europe. The company exports up to 5,000 units per month to Italy, UK and France, where these scooters are sold under the LML Star Deluxe brand. LML scooters are also sold in Nigeria, Sudan, Japan, Australia, South Korea and Egypt, under the Stella brand.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Honda Eterno May Get Discontinued?
Honda Eterno,the geared scooter attempt from HMSI after testing success in gear less scooters may face axe. Even though the news is awaiting confirmation from HMSI,the sales trend of this scooter depicts the rumour is true.
Honda Eterno was a fully packaged geared scooter with all good features from a motorcycle and scooter. HMSI is offering this as an alternative to Bajaj Chetak and LML Vespa NV.The reasons may be many from boring looks,heavy and bad handling etc.Interestingly this is not the situation only for Honda Eterno. Story is same with all other geared scooters,whether it is Bajaj Chetak or LML Vespa.
But there is good side, if HMSI is actually planning to discontinue Honda Eterno you can expect much more great products in coming years.That will be good plan ,hope you will also agree.Because HMSI can completely focus on their new product line ups including new Activa and sports bikes currently in pipe line.
[Via: wheelosphere]
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