Category: Genuine (LML/PGO)

Orin at Scootin’ Old Skool actually retracted his story about the “return of the Stella” (at the time rumored to be around Labor Day). “Giving up” seems to me to be a pretty sure way of making sure the new Stellas are announced any day now. A watched Stella never boils, as they say.

As Orin points out, there have been plenty of obstacles, and no shortage of people who’d like to see the first containerload rolling off a freighter ship. If LML is making scooters that are worth bringing over, Genuine is surely working hard getting them here.

Along with the promising Rattler (due this summer, see below), Genuine’s new site depicts a new Charcoal-and-Black Blur as seen at DealerExpo… but it features the orange-and-charcoal Blur’s 150cc engine, not the expected 200cc (an upgrade to the newer EVO 150cc would have also been a plus). The Blur 150 is still a great scooter (I’m still loving mine) and the paint scheme will likely sell better, but the 200 would have been pretty exciting. The Genuine rumor mill is running overtime at Modern Buddy, where one reader posted that a dealer told him a 40HP rotary-engine (?!) Geniune was in the works for this summer. I’ll believe that when I see it, maybe the dealer said four-TEEN and rotary-VALVE… (could it be a new Stella?) Also rumored (and counter-rumored) is a performace upgrade for the Buddy. While the Buddy 50 could use a boost, we agree with the Modern Buddy posters that feel the 125 would be a bit scary (frame-,suspension-, and brake-wise) with a bigger jug.

Just saw a print ad (targeted at dealers) for the Genuine Rattler 110. The new color (red/black) and bigger engine are definite improvements, rumor has it here in late June (hopefully the Blur 200 will be on the same boat). We’re loving the “Buck-Ten” designation. Is this Brooke’s dream bike? Discuss.

I’m a little behind on news, sorry (we’ll catch up tonight), but this certainly caught my eye today:

Remember how LML was preparing for a February comeback? We all knew that wouldn’t happen, and it didn’t. But at today’s LML annual general meeting, LML director Deepak Singhania announced that LML will restart production by next month (whatever that means in India time), for the export market only. Here are some exerpts from the India Business Standard story (their links are unpredictable). Remember this is the LML Star/Genuine Stella/Retroscooter Belladonna, etc., that we’re talking about here.

…Deepak Singhania, chairman and managing director of the company, said the company had received substantial orders for the export of scooters and intended to recommence operations by next month. Further, he said the company was also in discussion with certain organisations for financial/strategic partnership…

…Singhania told Business Standard: “We are the only one manufacturing two-stroke scooters in the world. Neither Bajaj nor Piaggio is making that anymore. There is worldwide demand for these scooters. Besides we will make three-wheelers, again only for export. We will move out of domestic marketing.�

…a perusal of the annual report shows a daunting task is ahead of the LML management. It has shown a loss of Rs 168.89 crore for the 18-month period from March 2005 to September 30. In the earlier period, the company sold 190,561 two-wheelers and in the period March 2005 to September 2006 it sold 111,083 two-wheelers. However, its exports were at 34,879 units as against 19,969 units in the previous financial year. Vehicles were exported to 36 countries, including the US and EU countries…

LML knows what we’ve known all along, the international 2-stroke geared Vespa-style scooter market will never go away, and it’s all theirs if they can get their act together. It’s a good strategy, but a very big “if.” The Financial Times story (editorializing just a little) insists that the strike/lockout was a symptom of LML’s problems rather than a cause. Even if the workers are paid, a contract is agreed upon, and production starts as planned, LML appears to have serious management issues and financial needs that won’t solve themselves.

Genuine Scooter Co. have announced a new Buddy 125 model, the Series Italia. The bike (a U.S.-market PGO BuBu) features new two-tone olive paint/plastic and a few other nice touches. Genuine’s ability to change up colors and names, and throw an extra few decals on a bike is surprisingly (and rightfully) effective, it’s surprising to not see other importers copying their ideas. Italian-named Asian scooters are so common now (Vino, Milano, Il Bello, etc.) it shouldn’t even seem strange, but it still is. The Series Italia (and all 2007 Buddys,) will feature upgraded lighting, a cell-phone charger, and hazard blinkers, and a new red Buddy is on the way. In other news, Genuine and Black Cat are sponsoring the AMA Flat Track Championship. (Image: courtesy Genuine Scooter Co.…their new designer is doing nice work.)

Indian news has been closely following the news of LML’s return. Indian station CNBC-TV18 interviewed LML Vice President RK Srivastava, who made it clear Piaggio is not involved in the recovery. DNA India had a bit more detail, but not much, a few days after the original announcement. The loudest chatter came from several Indian investment experts, who warned against investment in LML, reminding us that they were, lest we forget, losing money for years before the lockout and a speedy return to profit is unlikely.