In its new avatar, Lambretta is making a comeback in a much bigger and cleaner avatar in partnership with the Bird Group.
Innocenti SA will carry in a variety of high-powered scooters – G, V and X fashions with capacities between 200 and 350 cc in 2023. It will finally add an electric scooter in 2024.
Walter Scheffrahn, who owns the Lambretta Brand globally and a Member of Board, Innocenti SA, in his first interview to Indian media instructed ET that the group will make investments over $200 million in the following 5 years with the Bird Group to seize the Indian market.
“The brand has its soul in India and it has tremendous affinity amongst the masses. We want to re-create the magic of the past. We aim to make it a Ferrari of scooters in India with our top-end range,” added Scheffrahn.
Hence, the autos might be actually excessive finish and its most accessible product, too, could also be at a premium of a minimum of 20% over the most costly scooters.
The three way partnership firm might be 51% owned by Lambretta, with the stability 49% by Bird Group.
Founded in 1971, Bird Group has companies that embody journey expertise, airport floor dealing with companies throughout metropolis airports, India’s solely personal jet terminal at IGI, the Roseate model of accommodations and resorts and BMW dealerships underneath Bird Automotive.
To start with, whereas the main focus might be on fully constructed unit imports and knocked down kits for 2023 launch, Lambretta finally plans to do deep native manufacturing from the primary quarter of 2024. The electric model of Lambretta might be showcased on the Milan Motorcycle Show in 2023 and the mannequin could also be regionally produced.
In the yr 2021, Lambretta bought about 100,000 models globally, and the entry into India may probably greater than double the model’s footprint, stated Scheffrahn.
The Lambretta is presently bought in practically 70 international locations, with a producing footprint in Europe and South East Asia. The plant in India is predicted to be its greatest and the European model might be using the plant for the exports market.
The manufacturing facility with a capability of 100,000 models is probably going to come on stream initially of 2024. Scheffrahn says the funding will create an employment alternative for five,000 individuals.
The plant might be arrange in Manesar and the work on the localisation of scooters will start earlier than the manufacturing begins in the primary quarter of 2024.
On the rights of the model for the Indian market, Scheffrahn stated the problem might be settled shortly. “Innocenti is the undisputed proprietor of the worldwide trademark rights of Lambretta. We wouldn’t threat such substantial investments if there was any ambiguity,” he stated.
The all-metal physique scooter, pushed by quite a few Hollywood and Bollywood actors, will get its title from the suburb of Milan named Lambrate. The scooters of the yesteryears had been designed by Innocenti S.A. which owns the Lambretta model and licensed it around the globe.
Automobile Products of India (API) began assembling Lambretta scooters. Models had been bought till 1976 regionally.
Going forward too, the design might be primarily based out of Milan, whereas India will go on to turn into a giant manufacturing hub for Innocenti.