Modern Buddy

Looks like the labor dispute at the LML factory in India, where the Buddy's distant cousin the Stella was manufactured, is over. Mike at NoHo Scooters gave me the news today. SO, this could mean the popular Stella model (for those who don't know, it's basically a Vespa P-series clone) may be going back into production! Before we'd even left NoHo, GatsbyGirl looked at me and said, "Okay, which one of us gets a Stella?"

The Stella had just been cleared for sale in California (passing emissions tests) when a walkout at the factory halted production. So though some made their way across the border, those of us in CA have been dying to be able to buy new Stellas with less than the requisite 7500 miles on them. Given that Genuine now has a number of dealers in the state, and all over, there could be some high demand for this, which will be the only new, vintage-style shifter on the market. I'm stoked at just the possibility!

When I first started looking at scoots, some time back, I really liked everything I read about the Stella... except for the fact you couldn't get one in California! If they do come here... if I do someday manage to clear my present debts enough to afford one... I may take a very serious look at the Stella again, though I drool over a Dragon Red GTS. Modern? Or Classic? Choices, choices....


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I think it's more likely that if LML *does* come back (and I'm not particularly convinced it will, they've been claiming a lot of things for a lot of months) they will have a scaled-down production line of engines and parts support, rather than the actual Stellas.
Plus the EPA regulations tighten up in 2008, so my guess is that even without going bankrupt the stella would have died then.

weebl wrote:I think it's more likely that if LML *does* come back (and I'm not particularly convinced it will, they've been claiming a lot of things for a lot of months) they will have a scaled-down production line of engines and parts support, rather than the actual Stellas.
Plus the EPA regulations tighten up in 2008, so my guess is that even without going bankrupt the stella would have died then.

I don't doubt that LML will start production again. I think the odds of them producing a Stella may be pretty slim, though. Guess I'll just have to buy vintage. But a guy can hope...