The iconic Lambretta scooters are all set to make a
comeback in India. The Italian-Swiss scooter manufacturer has revealed its
plans of unveiling the Lambretta Electric prototype at the 15th Auto Expo,
which will be held in Greater Noida from 6-9 February 2020. This is well in
line with an earlier report that stated the company's interest in reviving its
Indian operations.
The Lambretta Electric prototype is being developed
in Milan, Italy, the city of origin of the Vespa rival. While the
specifications of the electric vehicle are to be revealed, the company has tied
up with Noida-based Lohia Auto and New Delhi headquartered Bird Group for the
development of the EV.
Moreover, Lambretta International has announced the
development of a steel-bodied Super Lambretta that will be tailor-made for the
Indian market. The company confirms that the new model would be bigger than any
of its earlier scooters. That said, it will feature a retro look and an
upmarket feel that will lead to a premium positioning of the new vehicle. In
the words of the company, the new model will be "specially developed for
ambitious young people understanding the beauty of Italian design."
The production-spec Lambretta Electric and the Super
Lambretta will be built at a new assembly plant in the Mumbai area. The new
facility will even become a production hub for African and neighbouring Asian
countries. Innocenti, the parent company of Lambretta International, is said to
be banking on the iconic image that Lambretta enjoys in the country for the
success of its new models.
The news of Lambretta's comeback in India with an
electric two-wheeler comes at the back of the Government of India pushing for
an early adoption of electric vehicles. Several homegrown and international
two-wheeler brands are already working on battery-operated two-wheelers that
suit the requirements of India. At the Auto Expo 2018, Vespa showcased the
Elettica e-scooter, which shares its underpinnings with the VX range but
features an electric powertrain. That
said, there are no immediate plans of launching the retro-styled electric
scooter as its manufacturer, like many others, awaits clear guidelines from the
Government and a better EV-charging infrastructure.