Automobile Products of India

Automobile Products of India

Company type	Public company
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1949 in Bombay, India
Founder	Rootes Group (British)
Defunct	2002
Fate	Ceased manufacturing operations; became subsidiary of Kiyana Real Estate Private Limited
Headquarters	Chennai , India
Area served	India
Key people	M. A. Chidambaram (MAC Group)
Products	Scooters (Lambretta, MAC, Lamby), three-wheelers, automotive components (clutch and brake systems)
Owner	Kiyana Real Estate Private Limited (subsidiary)
Parent	Kiyana Real Estate Private Limited

Automobile Products of India (API) was established in 1949 in Bombay (present-day Mumbai) by the British Rootes Group. Subsequently, it was taken over by M. A. Chidambaram of the MAC Group based in Madras (now Chennai). The company manufactured Lambretta scooters and API Three Wheelers under license from Italy's Innocenti, along with automotive components, mainly clutch and brake systems. API shifted its registered office from Mumbai to Chennai, maintaining manufacturing units in Mumbai, Aurangabad, and Ambattur, Chennai. Operations were discontinued in 2002.

History and operations

API's principal scooter manufacturing plant and headquarters were situated on Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Bhandup, Mumbai. In 1968, Hind Auto Industries Ltd, a German-partnered producer of automobile tie-rod ends, merged with API, broadening its product range. The Aurangabad plant supplied clutch and braking parts as original equipment for prominent Indian vehicle makers such as Maruti Udyog, Hindustan Motors, Bajaj Tempo, and Premier Automobiles Limited.

The company expanded in 1987 by inaugurating the Ambattur facility in Chennai to boost production of clutch and brake assemblies.

API Lambretta

API was the pioneer scooter manufacturer in India, initially assembling scooters from kits provided by Innocenti and selling them under the Lambretta name. Early offerings included the 48 cc Lambretta 48 moped along with the D- and LD-series scooters. In the early 1960s, API secured rights to manufacture the Li-150 series 2 model, which featured redesigned smaller mudguards, legshields, dual seating, and press-on side panels.

API Three-Wheeler

At the same time, API marketed the API three-wheeler auto rickshaw, competing directly with Bajaj. These vehicles continue to operate in regions such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. In 1987, API collaborated with Japan's Yamaha to enhance three-wheeler engines. Between 1991 and 1992, its research and development team introduced a rear-engine variant, a front diesel engine load carrier model, and a six-passenger version.

MAC Scooters

In 1972, Scooters India Ltd secured exclusive rights to the Lambretta brand name. Following this, API began marketing scooters under the MAC brand—named after founder Dr. Muthiah Annamalai Chidambaram—with the launch of the MAC 175 that same year.

API Lamby

The "Lamby" scooter range was introduced by API in 1977. This line underwent several updates; its last version was the Lamby Polo released in 1986 featuring more angular styling. Despite these efforts, sales remained weak leading to discontinuation.

Due to licensing constraints preventing exports of Lambretta-based scooters, both Lamby and MAC brands remained largely unknown outside India.

Model specifications

	125 D	125 LD	150 Li	MAC 175	Lamby 150	Lamby Polo 125	Lamby Polo 150
Production Period	1955–1957	1955–1957	1962–1977	1972–1977	1977–1986	1986–1990	1986–1990
Bore Diameter	52 mm	52 mm	57 mm	62 mm	57 mm	52 mm	57 mm
Stroke Length	58 mm
Engine Capacity	123 cc	123 cc	148 cc	173 cc	148 cc	123 cc	148 cc
Gear Count	3	4
Maximum Speed	44 mph	44 mph	50 mph	56 mph	50 mph	47 mph	53 mph
Drive Type	Shaft drive		Chain drive

Specification information source:

Auto Ancillaries

API's segment dedicated to auto ancillaries specialized in clutch and braking systems as well as tie-rod units, serving as a significant original equipment manufacturer for leading Indian automotive companies. Additionally, certain components bearing the "API" brand were incorporated into Lambretta scooters.

Brakes and Clutches

The company manufactured clutch assemblies through a partnership with Borg & Beck (currently BorgWarner) based in Michigan, USA. It also collaborated with Lockheed, Fiat, and ATE Brakes to produce hydraulic brake systems and API-branded brake linings. Starting in the 1960s, API produced brake linings under a licensing agreement with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company from Akron, USA. In November 1972, API obtained a five-year license from Fichtel & Sachs A.G. (now ZF Sachs) of West Germany to manufacture F & S clutches.

The Aurangabad facility worked alongside Automotive Products (AP) of Leamington Spa, England, producing clutches and brakes until 1970. Following this period, API renewed a five-year contract with AP to continue manufacturing Borg & Beck clutches and Lockheed hydraulic brake systems under updated terms.

In addition to licensed products, API developed indigenous brake linings and fluids that were supplied to multiple Indian automotive manufacturers, including Maruti Udyog.

Decline and Closure

Although sales increased in 1984, operational losses were incurred due to a "go-slow" strike affecting the Mumbai and Aurangabad plants, combined with escalating input material and transportation expenses. The product portfolio at the Bhandup facility shifted focus towards greater production of three-wheelers. In 1985, sales grew by 20% following the introduction of the 'Lamby Polo 150' scooter, designed by a Japanese firm; however, it struggled to compete against new Japanese entrants entering the Indian market.

In 1986, sales decreased amidst an industry-wide recession, further aggravated by work stoppages and lock-outs at the Aurangabad factory. To maintain momentum in the three-wheeler sector, the company prioritized expanding exports of load carriers and inaugurated an additional manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu in 1987.

By 1987, the company's net worth had significantly diminished, resulting in its referral to the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) for a period of 15 months. Attempts to revive three-wheeler sales alongside securing a moped manufacturing license in Tamil Nadu were unsuccessful. Consequently, production of three-wheelers and scooters was discontinued while ancillary operations continued.

Automobile Products of India Limited ceased manufacturing activities in 2002 and presently functions as a subsidiary under Kiyana Real Estate Private Limited.

See also

• Innocenti
• Lambretta

External links

• Reclaiming the Lambretta – LiveMint