Although passenger cars were produced in the USSR in the 60s of the last century, they were in incredible short supply. “Victory”, “Volga”, “Muscovites” and “Zaporozhtsy” were distributed exclusively according to the lists of enterprises, and even at the place of work it was most often possible to purchase them only through great connections. On July 20, 1966, after analyzing 54 different construction sites, the CPSU Central Committee and the Soviet government decided to build a new large automobile plant in the city of Tolyatti. Preparation technical project was entrusted to the Italian automobile concern FIAT. On August 15, 1966, in Moscow, the head of FIAT, Gianni Agnelli, signed a contract with the USSR Minister of Automotive Industry, Alexander Tarasov, to create an automobile plant in the city of Togliatti with a full production cycle.
01. Territory of the future automobile plant, 1966.
02. The first tent at the future construction site. In the center of the group - CEO Volzhsky Automobile Plant V.N. Polyakov, 1966
03. On January 3, 1967, the Komsomol Central Committee declared the construction of the Volga Automobile Plant an All-Union Komsomol shock construction project. Thousands of people, mostly young people, headed to Togliatti for the construction of the auto giant.
04. The construction of the domestic auto giant was entrusted to the Kuibyshevhydrostroy Department. In January 1967, the first cubic meter of earth was removed from the construction site.
05. The HR department of Kuibyshevgidrostroy received a flood of thousands of letters from those wishing to take part in the construction of the plant. Everyone understood that building and then working at VAZ meant being in the epicenter of modern life, and the possibility of getting an apartment in Tolyatti was more likely than anywhere else.
06. Nikolai Semizorov, head of the Kuibyshevgidrostroy department, recalls that the scale of construction simply amazed him. In four years, it was necessary to build a plant, a thermal power plant, the Avtozavodsky district of Tolyatti and much more with a total cost (according to the most conservative estimates) of over two billion rubles.
07. The state did not spare money for the construction of the VAZ. IN short term Kuibyshevgidrostroy from a large construction organization, even if it has on its account the construction of the Volzhskaya Hydroelectric Power Station named after. Lenin really turned into a giant.
08. The technical design of the automobile plant was drawn up by the Italian automobile concern FIAT with the participation of the Promstroyproekt Institute. Teams from over 40 design institutes in our country took direct part in the design of the future giant.
09. Since 1969, labor collectives of the plant began to form, most of them were the people who built the plant.
11. The installation of production equipment produced at 844 domestic factories, 900 factories of the socialist community, by companies from Italy, Germany, France, England, the USA and other countries continued.
12. V.N. Polyakov, the first director of VAZ, who led the plant from 1966 to 1975.
13. Flooring along the main conveyor, 1969
14. Construction of VAZ control
16. Various musical groups often came to the construction site.
19. Kiosk "Soyuzpechat" next to the construction site.
20. The first VAZ car was based on the FIAT-124 model, which in 1965 won the title “Car of the Year” in Europe. The photo shows the first FIAT at the Dmitrovsky training ground.
21. In parallel with the construction of the plant, FIAT-124 was tested at the Dmitrov Automotive Test Site. Hard domestic conditions turned out to be too tough for the “Italian,” to put it mildly. After only 5,000 km, the car almost had to be thrown away. The FIAT’s body practically “crumbled”, revealing that the chassis and especially the brakes were unadapted to our realities. The Italian's ground clearance of 110 mm turned out to be too low in the difficult road conditions of the Union. It was decided to increase it. True, when the Italians found out that the Russians were going to “raise” the car 17-17.5 cm above the ground, they asked in all seriousness: “Aren’t you going to build roads in Russia?”
22. The first Zhiguli on the assembly line, 1970.
23. On April 19, 1970, the first six VAZ-2101 Zhiguli cars, now known to most, rolled off the main VAZ assembly line foreign countries like Lada. The first-born lived up to the expectations of its creators. Driving performance was excellent, and major repairs were required only after the car had traveled a distance equal to ten trips from Moscow to Vladivostok.
24. The role of the first-born “VAZ” in history domestic automotive industry difficult to overestimate. With its advent, the Soviet automobile industry took more than one step forward. Over the 14 years spent on the assembly line, about 3,000,000 “kopecks” rolled out of the factory floor.
26. In 1973, the VAZ car received another name - “Lada”, intended for foreign consumers. One version of the choice of this name says that the AvtoVAZ designers the day before accidentally heard the song “No need to frown, Lada,” popular at that time. In other stories, an analogy is drawn with the trademark of the Ladya enterprise, which appeared almost simultaneously with the Zhiguli. One way or another, everyone immediately liked this name.
27. "Vazovtsy" go to work.
28. Thousands of new cars went to different cities Soviet Union and neighboring countries.
29. General Director of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant introduces the workshops of the Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee A. Kirilenko, 1973.
30. Bird's eye view of the plant.
31. New cars are waiting for their departure.
34. Already in December 1973, the plant produced its millionth car.
36. Model VAZ-2108, made life-size from plasticine.
37. In December 1979, the first prototype of the VAZ-2108 car was assembled in the experimental workshop.
38. VAZ CHPP (the largest in Europe at the time of construction) and an automobile plant.
39. Design department.
40. Factory everyday life.
41. Conveyor.
42. Engine assembly workshop.
43. Dining rooms VAZ.
46. New cars at the plant sites.
48. Factory and Avtozavodskoy district of Tolyatti in the distance.
49. 30th anniversary of the release of the first car. The ceremonial movement of the popularly beloved “penny” along the main conveyor belt, April 19, 2000.
52. And in conclusion, briefly about some brands of cars produced by AvtoVAZ. The Niva SUV has been mass-produced since 1977!
53. The first VAZ car, produced in 1970, with serial number 0000001, had one owner in Samara and again became the property of the plant in 2000, is stored in the museum. (years of production VAZ-2101 1970-1981)
54. The millionth VAZ-2103 is kept in the AvtoVAZ museum. (years of production VAZ-2103 1972-1983)
55. VAZ-2107 on the assembly line. (years of production 1982-2011)
56. VAZ-2110, or popularly “ten”. (years of production 1996-2007)
58. Lada Priora has been produced since 2007.
59. "Lada-Kalina" has been produced since 2004.
60. The newest production model of AvtoVAZ, the Lada Granta, was launched into production at the end of 2011.
Brief information: the total area of the production buildings of the automobile plant is 2.1 million square meters. m, conveyor length - 150 km, technological equipment - 16.5 thousand units. During the construction of the plant, 213 km of highways were put into operation, 180 km of railway tracks were put into operation, 6 million cubic meters of monolithic and precast reinforced concrete were laid, and 300 thousand tons of metal structures were installed. To understand what place the Volzhsky Automobile Plant occupied in the hierarchy of the Soviet automobile industry, it is enough to know the following fact: in the mid-60s, all existing factories of the USSR produced the same number of cars, including trucks and buses, as VAZ was designed for - 660 thousand cars per year.
My other historical reviews.
Russian passenger car brands were created back in the USSR, and not all of them remained afloat. Today, only two factories, AvtoVAZ and UAZ, continue to produce products under their own brand. GAZ and IzhAvto switched to assembly foreign models, and Moskvich ceased to exist altogether.
In post-Soviet times, attempts were made repeatedly to create a domestic competitive brand of passenger car, but only one can be called successful - the Chevrolet Niva.
OJSC "AvtoVAZ"
The Tolyatti Automobile Plant was founded in 1966 and soon became the largest manufacturer of passenger cars in Eastern Europe and the USSR. Production began in 1970 with the release of the now legendary “kopek” (VAZ-2101), which can still occasionally be seen on the roads.
Over its almost half-century history, AvtoVAZ has produced dozens of beloved car models (Zhiguli, Sputnik, Samara, Niva, Oka).
The model range and years of production are presented in the diagram:
Today AvtoVAZ is managed by the Renault-Nissan alliance and produces popular car models under its own Lada brand.
Lada Priora ("Lada Priora")
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- Lada Priora sedan (VAZ-2170)
- Lada Priora hatchback (VAZ-2172)
- Lada Priora station wagon (VAZ-2171)
- Lada Priora Coupe("Lada Priora Coupe", VAZ-21728)
Lada Granta ("Lada Granta")
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- Lada Granta sedan VAZ-2190
- Lada Granta sedan sport VAZ-2190
- Lada Granta liftback VAZ-2191
Lada Kalina ("Lada Kalina 2")
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- Lada Kalina hatchback (VAZ-2192)
- Lada Kalina station wagon (VAZ-2194)
Lada Largus ("Lada Largus")
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- Lada Largus station wagon (R90)
- Lada Largus cargo van (F90)
Lada 4x4 - SUV
- Lada 4x4 3-door station wagon (VAZ-21214)
- Lada 4x4 5-door station wagon (VAZ-2131)
In August 2014, AvtoVAZ presented a new model LADA 4x4 Urban.
4x4 SUVs account for the majority of automaker sales in Europe.
JSC "GM-AVTOVAZ"
A joint venture between AvtoVAZ and the American concern General Motors has been producing the Russian all-terrain vehicle Chevrolet Niva since 2002. There are 5 car trim levels: L, LE, LC, GLC, GLS.
In the 2000s, the following models were produced and then discontinued:
Also available Chevrolet modification Niva Trophy (“Trophy”), adapted to off-road conditions.
Chevrolet Niva is one of the best-selling SUVs in the country.
The production facilities of JSC "GM-AVTOVAZ" are located in Tolyatti.
OJSC "GAZ" ("GAZ Group")
The Gorky Automobile Plant, the flagship of the Russian and Soviet automobile industry, was founded in 1932 in Nizhny Novgorod. It was here that the production of the first Soviet passenger cars, GAZ-A, began.
Subsequently, the company produced:
The model range of GAZ passenger cars is presented in the table below:
|
Model |
Year of release |
|
1940 - 1942, 1945 - 1948 |
|
|
M-20 "Victory" |
|
|
ZIM (GAZ-12) |
|
|
GAZ-21 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-22 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-23 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-13 "Chaika" |
|
|
GAZ-24 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-24-02 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-24-24 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-14 "Chaika" |
|
|
GAZ-24-10 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-24-34 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-3102 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-3101 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-31029 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-31022 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-3105 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-3110 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-310221 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-3111 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-31105 "Volga" |
|
|
GAZ-311055 "Volga" |
|
Since 2005, the Gorky Automobile Plant has been part of the GAZ Group automobile manufacturing holding.
After the cessation of production of Volga Siber ("Volga Cyber") in 2010, the development of our own passenger models GAS is not expected. The plant will produce spare parts for Cybers for 10 years.
OJSC "UAZ"
The Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant has been operating since 1941. The company specializes in the production of all-wheel drive vehicles, including SUVs.
The famous UAZ-469, popularly nicknamed "goat", began production in 1972 and for a long time was the main command vehicle in the Soviet Army.
Subsequently, it was modernized and the successors of the “goat” UAZ-3151 and UAZ-315195 “Hunter” are produced to this day. Since 2004, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant has been part of a large automobile holding"Sollers".
Model range and years of production of UAZ SUVs:
- UAZ-469 (1971-2003);
- UAZ-3160 (1997-2004);
- UAZ-3162 "Simbir" (2000-2005);
- UAZ-3151 (from 1985 to present);
- UAZ-3159 "Bars" (from 1999 to present);
- UAZ-315195 "Hunter" (from 2003 to present);
- UAZ Patriot (UAZ-3163) (2005 to present).
Modifications of "Patriot":
- UAZ Cargo ("Cargo", UAZ-23602-050);
- UAZ Pickup ("Pickup", UAZ-23632);
- UAZ Patriot Sport ("Patriot Sport", UAZ-3164).
Military and police modifications are also produced.
"Moskvich"
The Moskvich brand, quite common in Soviet times, was produced at AZLK (then Moskvich OJSC) from 1947 to 2001. In total, about 40 models were produced. In the 2000s, the plant was declared bankrupt and a significant part of it production capacity came into the possession of JSC Avtoframos - joint venture Moscow government and Renault.
In 2014, Avtoframos was renamed ZAO Renault Russia. Trademark Moskvich has been owned by the German company Volkswagen since 2009.
"IzhAvto"
The Izhevsk Automobile Plant has been operating since 1965. At first, “Muscovites” were assembled on it, and in 1973 the plant began producing its own brand Izh-2125 (“Izh-Kombi”) - the only car with a hatchback body in the USSR. Various Izh models were produced until 2006 (Izh-2717, Izh-21261 “Fabula”).
Now the plant produces Izh-27175 and assembles KIA cars Spectra, KIA Sorento and etc.
TagAZ
The car plant in Taganrog was built in 1998 as a car assembly plant for foreign brands.
In 2009, TagAZ announced the release own development- passenger car Tagaz Vega.
Having sold just over 1,000 cars, production was suspended due to lawsuits from the South Korean division of GM Daewoo against TagAZ over violation of intellectual property rights. In 2014, the plant was declared bankrupt.
About the positive and negative aspects of operation domestic cars watch in the next video clip.
Will new models of domestic passenger cars “explode” the Russian market? Actually, these appeared, but not for long:
The auto industry is just beginning to emerge from the crisis, so we can hardly expect a miracle in the near future.
AvtoVAZ (Volzhsky Automobile Plant) is the largest manufacturer of passenger cars in the Russian Federation and Eastern Europe, actively operating in 46 countries around the world. This group of companies includes 270 subsidiaries, and its staff includes more than 20 thousand employees, thanks to which thousands of vehicles are produced annually with an up-to-date and modern design, comfortable interior and excellent technical characteristics that are ideal for Russian realities. Today, AvtoVAZ is controlled by the Renault-Nissan alliance and is based in Tolyatti.
The automaker owns the famous brand Lada- the leader of the car market in our country among both domestic and many foreign brands. Current model Lada series very wide and includes machines with different types bodies - among them there are stylish sedans, and station wagons with impressive spaciousness, and hatchbacks with high ground clearance.
Having survived the difficult times of the economic and political formation of the new Russia, AvtoVAZ continues to develop model range of its popular brand, following the latest fashion trends auto industry and implementing Hi-tech into production.
Interesting facts about the brand:
- Its appearance was preceded by the release of the Zhiguli VAZ-2101 with the same design as the Fiat-124. Soviet car had over 800 differences with the “Italian”: for example, the “Zhiguli” received drum brakes rather than disc ones, as well as a more durable body, reinforced suspension and increased ground clearance in order to best match road conditions Soviet republics.
- In 2011, British designer Steve Mattin, who had previously worked with Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, took on the appearance of his models.
- The first Lada Kalina cars began to be designed in 1993, and went on sale in 1999. First, the hatchback debuted, later the sedan was shown, and in 2001 the station wagon premiered. The budget car Granta replaced the Kalina only 10 years later and caused a real stir on the part of Russians, because this was the first Lada that was serially equipped with an automatic transmission, namely a 4-speed automatic transmission from the Japanese company Jatco.
- The brand is named after the Slavic goddess - the patroness of love and beauty.
- The cost of Lada cars is quite affordable, so it is absolutely possible to buy a Lada in Moscow at an affordable price.
Lada style and technology
Cars domestic brand have always been incredibly practical, but after the arrival of ex-Volvo designer Steve Mattin and the revision of previous views on car style, the AvtoVAZ company decided to produce not only practical, but also truly beautiful models with an ergonomic interior. A striking example of this is the spectacular and dynamic Vesta sedan or the solid “raised” Xray hatchback.
The Tolyatti manufacturer tries to keep up with the times and use the latest developments when creating its products:
According to sales statistics for the first half of this year, the most popular models on the domestic car market were cars under the Lada brand. This result was achieved, first of all, due to the fact that the company produces a variety of passenger cars in the budget category. Taking into account the current dynamics, AvtoVAZ has planned to release new products and modify a number of its models for the coming period 2017-2019.
Lada 4x4
One of the most anticipated models is the release of the next generation of the Lada 4x4 in the spring of 2018. This all-terrain vehicle will replace the legendary Niva. The new product has a modern and stylish design, which immediately allows you to highlight its off-road properties. The interior has also undergone significant changes. It received better ergonomics, high-quality materials, and modified sound insulation.
An 83.0 hp engine is designed for Lada 4x4. With. (V - 1.70 l) paired with which a manual transmission (6/speed) will be mounted in the all-wheel drive transmission. Full list AvtoVAZ will announce equipment and configuration versions of the new SUV before the start of production, and the minimum price is set at 540 thousand rubles.
Priora
Next year will be the final year of production of the model. Therefore, it was decided to modify the Priora. This affected the exterior most significantly. Due to the new design, it turned out to be more attractive and modern. Among other innovations, it is worth noting the installation of LED elements in the optics of the small car. There are no plans to make any improvements to the interior.
The car will continue to be equipped with engines with a power of 128.0 and 106.0 horsepower, with a five-speed manual transmission. Assembly of the car is scheduled for early 2018. The price is set from 500 thousand rubles.
Granta
Among the new AvtoVAZ 2017-2019 products, the popular model in the current 2017 has received the biggest changes since 2011. First of all, the front part of the car acquired a corporate design, and in the frontal image smooth stampings were added and the geometry of the body changed. This improved aerodynamic and speed performance. The finishing will remain quite conservative in calm colors.
The use of three gasoline engines is provided (all V-1.6 l):
- 87.0 l. With.,
- 106.0 l. With.,
- 120.0 l. With.
With these engines it is possible to install a manual transmission (5-speed) or automatic transmission (4-speed)
Granta received seven configuration options, and the initial cost is 415 thousand rubles.
Kalina
The updated Kalina is characterized by a new laconic design, which is created due to:
- proprietary solutions in the front part of the car;
- side stampings;
- top rails.
The interior is still made on a budget, but the trim has now received a two-tone design. Seats with increased lateral support are also installed.
The new product is equipped with three V-1.6 l gasoline engines (16 valves) and power:
- 88.0 l. With.,
- 98.0 l. With.,
- 105.0 l. With.
Three gearbox options are used for transmission: 4-range automatic and robotic, as well as mechanical (5-speed). The cost will start from 370 thousand rubles, production is planned from mid-2018.
Kalina NFR
NFR is a sports version of the Kalina model, released in 2017. It features a powerful 140.0 hp engine. with., reinforced front suspension, adjustment and tuning of shock absorbers.
The interior has an improved finish due to leatherette seat upholstery and leather inserts (steering wheel, gear knobs and brakes). The exterior features low-profile wheels on 17-inch alloy wheels, and the front part has reshaped air intakes. starting price NFR is set at 750 thousand rubles.
Kalina Cross
In the near future, an updated model of improved cross-country ability, Kalina Cross, 2018, will go on sale. Cross is different:
- dark plastic body kit;
- linings under the wheel arches;
- plastic door moldings;
- increased ground clearance to 18.3 cm.
The difference in the interior is due to the use of two-tone trim (a combination of orange and black).
The cross is available in a station wagon body with increased departure and approach angles. The equipment uses motors with a power of 87.0 and 106.0 horsepower. The price starts from 512 thousand rubles.
Largus
One of AvtoVAZ’s best-selling models received a new one (Dacia Logan MCV Stepway), as well as a number of significant changes:
1. Exterior:
- corporate front design,
- new head optics.
2. In the interior:
- the latest finishing elements (glossy plastic, chrome plated, wear-resistant fabric),
- front seats with lateral support.
For Largus there are three engines with a power of 105.0, 115.0 and 124.0 horsepower. The model will be available in minivan, van and station wagon versions. Sales start in Q2. 2018. The cost of the initial station wagon is stated at 489.9 thousand rubles.
Largus Cross
The modification of improved cross-country ability differs in appearance from basic version with the following changes:
- body kit along the lower perimeter of the body;
- dark inserts in the wheel arches;
- wide moldings on the doors;
- protective panels on both bumpers;
- high ground clearance (17.5 cm).
Largus Cross 2018 will be equipped with three engines (hp):
- 106,0;
- 114,0;
- 123,0.
The new product has two versions: five-seater and seven-seater. The cost starts from 485 thousand rubles. The release is scheduled for Q3. next year.
Vesta SW
The SW station wagon should go on sale before the end of this year. A design feature of the new car should be considered the formation of a sporty, dynamic external image, which is rarely used for station wagons. The exterior is characterized by a sharp roofline, rear pillars that have an increased angle of inclination, and a compact rear door luggage compartment, rapid L-shaped front stampings.
The interior features a multifunctional steering wheel, a stepped front console, an unusual design of the instrument panel with a sun visor, and front seats with lateral support.
The station wagon received two engines with a power of 106.0 and 122.0 hp. p., manual transmission (5 speed), robotic gearbox (5 speed). A large number of modern systems and equipment are provided for the configuration (rear view camera, cruise control, multimedia complex, etc.). The estimated price for the basic SW configuration will be 640 thousand rubles.
Vesta SW Cross
Cross is stylized as a car off-road version of the SW station wagon.
To create this image we used:
- large ground clearance (20 cm);
- dark body kit;
- plastic inserts for wheel arches;
- rear plastic protection;
- 17 inch wheels.
The interior decoration will be characterized by the presence of bright inserts.
The equipment is similar to that of the SW station wagon. power units. In total, four equipment options were used, while the cost is minimum configuration planned from 759.9 thousand rubles.
Vesta Cross Sedan
Cross Sedan is an option with improved cross-country ability, developed on the basis of the standard Vesta Sedan. Cross modification characterized by:
- increased ground clearance (20 cm);
- 17-inch wheels;
- plastic body kit;
- elements of front and rear protection.
The interior of the new product is fully consistent with the standard sedan.
For installation, two motors with a power of 106.0 and 122.0 horsepower are provided. The front-wheel drive transmission will be equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. The car will go on sale after the start of production of the Vesta SW Cross. The price of the sedan starts at 635 thousand rubles.
Vesta Signature
The 2018 Signature is a car extended to 4.66 m. As a result of this decision, the interior has increased comfort. Distinctive features include the enlarged rear doors, as well as the fact that the designers managed to carry out the extension without additional inserts.
The car is equipped with a 135.5 horsepower engine and a variety of modern equipment. Initially, Signature is planned to be produced according to individual requests, and the cost will be more than 1.0 million rubles.
XRAY Cross
A new crossover from AvtoVAZ, the release of which is scheduled for mid-2018. The car, as befits this class, has a powerful and solid appearance. This image was helped by:
- high ground clearance (20 cm);
- large wheel arches with protective inserts;
- plastic body kit;
- hood lines.
The interior features bright finishing elements and improved seats with lateral support.
Scheduled for installation gasoline engines at 123.0 and 114.0 horsepower, paired with them it is possible to install an automatic transmission and a manual transmission in a 5-speed version.
The release is planned for the second quarter. 2018. The price for basic equipment will be 560 thousand rubles.
XRAY Sport
New AvtoVAZ 2019, the sports version XRAY is characterized by:
- aggressive design;
- red inserts highlighting body elements;
- 18-inch wheels;
- reduced clearance.
The suspension uses special settings and effective brakes.
The XRAY Sport will be equipped with a turbocharged engine of 150.0 horsepower. The car should be expected to appear at the end of 2018. The manufacturer has not yet announced the price of the car. According to experts, it will be about 1.0 million rubles.
XCODE
AvtoVAZ is considering the possibility of putting it into production for 2019 crossover XCODE. The car may replace the Lada Kalina.
The attractive appearance of XCODE is formed by:
- compact dimensions;
- low roofline;
- increased ground clearance.
The interior is characterized by anatomical seats, a deep instrument panel and a digital display on the stepped center console.
The car will initially be equipped with a 109.0 hp engine. With. and various options for automatic and manual transmissions.
The possible cost of the new product will be discussed as the crossover is further developed.
The presence and implementation of a plan to produce and modernize its cars underscores AvtoVAZ’s desire to remain a leader in the domestic car market in the budget car segment.
AvtoVAZ is the largest Russian automobile manufacturing company
history of AvtoVAZ OJSC, model range, organizational structure, owners and management, types of activities, organization of work process at the plant, 2015-2016 models, exports, performance indicators, sales leaders, plans, news
AvtoVAZ is the definition
AvtoVAZ is a Russian automobile manufacturer, the largest manufacturer in Eastern Europe. Control of the company belongs to the Renault-Nissan alliance. The full official name is the open "AvtoVAZ". It is part of the Rostec state corporation.
AvtoVAZ is the Volga Automobile Plant.
AvtoVAZ is an auto giant that has no equal not only in Russian Federation, but also in the world: a single complex with about 150 thousand people, engaged, in addition to the actual assembly of cars, in their development and production of components.
AvtoVAZ is the standard of the domestic automotive industry.
AvtoVAZ is largest automaker in Russia, a company that actively operates in 46 countries.
AvtoVAZ is the largest Russian automaker, which is in a protracted crisis.
AvtoVAZ is a domestic automaker, whose brainchildren travel on the roads of many countries and cities around the world.
History of the emergence of OJSC "AvtoVAZ"
1966-1991
On July 20, 1966, after analyzing 54 different construction sites, the CPSU Central Committee and the Soviet government decided to build a new large automobile plant in the city of Tolyatti. The preparation of the technical project was entrusted to the Italian automobile company Fiat. On August 15, 1966, in Moscow, the head of FIAT, Gianni Agnelli, signed with USSR Minister Alexander Tarasov to create an automobile plant in the city of Tolyatti with a full production cycle. According to the contract, the same Concern was entrusted with the technological equipment of the plant and training.
On January 3, 1967, the Komsomol Central Committee declared the construction of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant an All-Union Komsomol shock construction project. Thousands of people, mostly young people, headed to Togliatti for the construction of the auto giant. Already on January 21, 1967, the first cubic meter of earth was removed for the construction of the first workshop of the plant - the building of auxiliary workshops (ACS).
Since 1969, labor collectives of the plant began to form, most of them were the people who built the plant. The installation of production equipment produced at 844 domestic factories and 900 factories in the socialist community, England, and other countries continued.
On March 1, 1970, the first 10 bodies of future cars were produced by the welding shop, and on April 19, 1970, the first six VAZ-2101 Zhiguli cars rolled off the main assembly line of the plant, the design basically repeating the Italian model FIAT-124, but assembled almost completely from localized components. Interestingly, on April 15, 1970, Henry Ford Jr. visited the Volzhsky Automobile Plant. On October 28, 1970, the first train with Zhiguli cars was sent to Moscow. Thus, with an estimated construction period of 6 years, the plant was put into operation 3 years earlier, which allowed the USSR to save more than 1.
On March 24, 1971, the State Commission commissioned the first stage of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, which will produce 220 thousand cars per year. On July 16, 1971, the 100,000th car with the VAZ brand was produced. On January 10, 1972, the State Commission signed an act on the acceptance into operation of the second stage of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant with a capacity of 220 thousand cars per year. The plant was officially accepted by the State Commission with an “excellent” rating on December 22, 1973 - after the millionth car; By decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet, the Volzhsky Automobile Plant was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. In 1977, the USSR State Prize in the field of literature, art and architecture was awarded for the architecture of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant complex.
In September 2009, the company's management announced a massive staff reduction: by the end of 2009, 27.6 thousand employees out of 100 thousand would be laid off. According to representatives of AvtoVAZ, this will be one of the measures towards preventing bankruptcy of the largest Russian automobile company. However, already at the beginning of October it became known that the Government of the Russian Federation had agreed to lay off only 5 thousand people, and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government Igor Shuvalov said: “No layoffs or reductions are planned at the enterprise. It's all a lie." As a result, almost 22.5 thousand of the company's employees were laid off in 2009, of which: 11.5 thousand received early retirement and 2.3 thousand received early retirement. The registration of such a “mass” early pension was an unprecedented phenomenon for Russia.
Shuvalov's arrival in Togliatti - episode of the Vesti program
At the same time, in October 2009, the Russian Ministry of Trade and Trade stated in a letter to the government apparatus that in its current form, AvtoVAZ is actually unviable, being in a pre-bankruptcy state (according to the ministry’s calculations, at the beginning of 2010 the plant’s debt will be 76. 3 billion rubles). According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Chairman Sergei Stepashin, further state support for the enterprise is impractical, and the situation in Tolyatti can only be saved by reducing up to 50 thousand AvtoVAZ employees and spending the funds that are supposed to be allocated to AvtoVAZ on stabilization in the Samara region.
Sergei Stepashin, head of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation
In November 2009, Christian Esteve, General Director of Renault in Russia, said that, according to proposals from the French side, AvtoVAZ plans to organize car production Renault brands, Nissan and Lada based single platform B0 (Logan platform), and also leave the production of their ultra low class cars (possibly based on Kalina). In November 2009 Russian Government announced its readiness to provide support to AvtoVAZ in the amount of 54.8 billion rubles. Of this amount, 38 billion are bad debts, another 12 billion rubles. will go towards the creation and launch of a new model range and another 4.8 billion rubles. necessary to implement the program for creating new ones. On November 27, 2009, the Russian Technologies State Corporation and Renault signed a protocol on cooperation in the recapitalization of AvtoVAZ. The agreement provides for financial assistance to AvtoVAZ from the Russian Federation in exchange for Renault's assistance in using Renault and Nissan technologies.
Signing of an agreement between Rostec and Renault
After 2010
On March 10, 2010, the board of directors of AvtoVAZ approved until 2020, according to which it is planned to increase car production to 1.2 million units per year by the end of the 2010s, as well as investments in the enterprise for 2010-2020 in the amount of up to 3 billion .
On August 26, 2010, the president of AvtoVAZ, Igor Komarov, announced that AvtoVAZ for January-July 2010 amounted to 24 million rubles according to RAS against a loss for the same period in 2009.
Renault showed interest in purchasing a controlling stake in AvtoVAZ only in 2010; preliminary negotiations took place in September.
A preliminary agreement on the acquisition of AvtoVAZ was signed in May 2012 (at the same time, Rostec extended the repayment period for preferential loans issued to AvtoVAZ until 2032).
On December 12, 2012, the Renault-Nissan alliance and the Rostec state corporation signed a final agreement on the creation of the joint venture Alliance Rostec Auto BV (it was registered in), through which the alliance received a controlling stake in AvtoVAZ by mid-2014. According to the agreement, Renault and Rostec contributed their stakes in AvtoVAZ to the joint venture (28.98% and 25%, respectively). The alliance then invested $742 million in the joint venture in several stages, of which $366 million went to Renault and $376 million to Nissan. By 2014, the joint venture purchased a 20.14% stake in AvtoVAZ from Troika Dialog. As a result, by June 2014, Renault's share in the joint venture amounted to 50.1%, and Nissan - 17.03%.
The alliance's share in the joint venture was 67.13%, the rest was received by Rostec. After the repurchase of shares from Troika Dialog, the alliance’s effective share in the plant was 50.01%, Rostec’s share was 24.5%.
At the end of 2013, Alliance Rostec Auto BV owned 76.25% of the shares of AvtoVAZ OJSC.
In January 2014, another significant reduction in the company's personnel was announced: according to the order, the standard number of managers, specialists and employees will be reduced by 2.5 thousand staff units, and the number of workers will be reduced by 5 thousand staff units. According to the company's quarterly report, as of January 1, 2014, the plant employed more than 67 thousand people.
The mayor of Tolyatti talks about reducing AvtoVAZ personnel
On January 23, 2014, the company announced that it was going to fire 7.5 thousand workers with the following compensation: those who quit in February will receive five average monthly salaries (about 20 thousand rubles), in March - four salaries, in April - three. The compensation offer is valid only for these three months.
"News" about the reduction of AvtoVAZ staff
In June 2014, the Renault-Nissan alliance gained control of more than 50% of the company's shares, Rostec's share dropped to 24.5%.
Ownership structure
As of the end of June 2014, over 50% of the company’s shares were controlled by the Renault-Nissan alliance, and the Russian state corporation Rostec owned 24.5%. Formally, 81.447% of ordinary shares and 47% of AvtoVAZ belonged to the Dutch company Alliance Rostec Auto BV, which, in turn, belonged 67.13% to Renault-Nissan, and 32.87% to Rostec.
Management
Currently, the chairman of the board of directors of the company is Carlos Ghosn (re-elected following the results of the annual meeting of shareholders on June 26, 2014). Carlos is also the head of the Renault-Nissan Alliance; Bu Inge Anderson - President of JSC AVTOVAZ.
At different times, the leaders of the car plant were:
1966-1975 - Polyakov, Viktor Nikolaevich, general director;
1975-1982 - Zhitkov, Anatoly Anatolyevich, general director;
1982-1988 - Isakov, Valentin Ivanovich, general director;
1988-1996 - Kadannikov, Vladimir Vasilievich, general director;
1996-2002 - Nikolaev, Alexey Vasilievich, President-General Director;
2002-2005 - Vilchik, Vitaly Andreevich, President-General Director;
2005-2006 - Esipovsky, Igor Eduardovich, President-General Director;
2006-2007 - Artyakov, Vladimir Vladimirovich, President-General Director;
2007-2009 - Aleshin, Boris Sergeevich, President-General Director;
2009-2013 - Komarov, Igor Anatolyevich, President-General Director;
Since 2013 - Boo Inge Anderson, President and CEO.
On December 29, 2000, a gallery of portraits of AvtoVAZ general directors from the moment of its founding was opened in the building of the AvtoVAZ OJSC plant management.
Carlos Ghosn- born on March 9, 1954 in the city of Porto Velho, . By origin he is a Lebanese Christian. In 1974 he graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry of the Ecole Polytechnique (Paris), and in 1978 - from the Higher Mining School (Paris).
Since 1978, he worked for Michelin, headed the Brazilian and North American divisions of the company, and held the position of general director for the production of passenger tires and tires for light trucks. Since December 1996 - Executive Vice President of Renault. In June 1999, he transferred to Nissan to the position of director of production, then became president of the company (June 2000) and general director (June 2001). During his time at Nissan, he received the nickname “Cost Killer”, as the severe reduction program he implemented allowed him to bring the company out of a deep crisis. Since April 29, 2005, he has also held the positions of President and CEO of Renault.
Since June 28, 2012, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of OJSC AVTOVAZ. Since June 2013, he has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of OJSC AVTOVAZ.
Boo Inge Anderson- General Director of AvtoVAZ.
Bo I. Andersson was born on October 16, 1955 in the city of Falkenberg. He got married in 1991, his wife's name is Maude. He has two daughters - Felicia and Leonora. Andersson is American and Swedish, but lives in the Russian Federation - in Nizhny Novgorod.
He graduated from the Swedish Military Academy, received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Stockholm University, and completed the graduate program at Harvard University.
1987 - came to work at General Motors as a Saab manager;
1990 - became Saab vice president for purchasing;
1993 - moved from Saab to GM to the post of executive director for international procurement of electrical equipment;
1994 - appointed executive director for procurement of chemical products;
1997 - became vice president of purchasing for GM Europe;
2009 - became president of the GAZ Group. Andersson was invited by GAZ owner Oleg Deripaska.
Awards:
2010 - "Best Manager" in the Russian automotive industry at the international automotive forum;
2011 - Best European Automotive Executive in the Emerging Markets category at the Eurostars Awards;
2012 - Award for Excellence from Automotive Supply Chain magazine for restoring the financial position of the GAZ Group after the crisis.
For all his achievements in business, Andersson was named honorary of the Kingdom of Sweden in 2012. And this year he was the first foreigner to receive the title of honorary citizen Nizhny Novgorod for the regional economy, Gorky Automobile Plant and strengthening the status of the city.
Activities of OJSC "AVTOVAZ"
Basic indicators
The company is focused on, where it is the absolute leader in sales, and on countries. In 2004, the plant produced just over 712 thousand, in 2005 - 721.5 thousand cars. In 2006, 966,380 cars and car kits were produced, 724 thousand finished cars were sold, including 185,673 cars and car assembly kits. In 2007, 770 thousand cars were sold (according to the company).
In 2008, the company planned to produce 959.7 thousand cars and assembly kits, including 125 thousand Lada Kalina cars, more than 210 thousand Lada Samara cars, 35 thousand three-door Lada SUVs 4x4 and 8 thousand Lada 112 Coupe cars. Export of cars and car components in 2008 was expected to increase to 194 thousand units. As a result, the plant produced 810.5 thousand cars, and sales in the Russian Federation amounted to 622.1 thousand cars. the company amounted to 192.07 billion rubles. (in 2007 - 187.6 billion rubles), net loss - 24.66 billion rubles. (in 2007 - net 3.7 billion rubles).
In the crisis year of 2009, it was initially planned to produce 475 thousand cars, then this figure was adjusted to 332 thousand cars. As a result, AvtoVAZ produced 294,737 LADA cars(including for export - 34,756 cars of all LADA families). In addition, 43,047 assembly kits were produced. The leader in terms of production volume was the LADA PRIORA family: more than 91 thousand of these cars were produced. In 2009, the plant shut down twice since the beginning of the year. First, in February 2009, due to the refusal of auto component manufacturers to ship products to the auto giant until it paid off its debts to them. Another time - for the whole of August - by decision of top management due to problems with sales.
In 2010, the company produced 545.5 thousand cars, increasing production volume by 85% compared to 2009. 517.1 thousand LADA cars were sold in Russia (and taking into account exports - 557.8 thousand cars). Compared to 2009, sales of LADA in the Russian Federation increased by 48%. This growth was facilitated by the government program for recycling end-of-life Vehicle. Owners of old cars actively returned them for recycling, receiving money to purchase a new car. The best-selling models this year are LADA 2105 and LADA 2107-136 thousand cars. The second figure was for LADA Priora - 125.5 thousand cars. Sales of LADA Kalina amounted to 108.9 thousand vehicles. In the first quarter of 2010, AvtoVAZ's loss amounted to 2.6 billion rubles; in the second quarter, the net loss according to RAS amounted to 1 billion rubles. AvtoVAZ sales volumes in the second quarter doubled compared to the first quarter.
Since 2011, after the acquisition of OAG LLC, AvtoVAZ began to take into account in its production products the products of the Izhevsk Automobile Plant, which became a subsidiary of the company. This year, both enterprises produced 593.3 thousand cars. Sales of the plant increased by 10.6% compared to last year - up to 578.3 thousand cars (taking into account exports - up to 634.3 thousand cars). In the same year, AVTOVAZ prepared production and began production of a new model - sedan LADA Granta.
In 2012, AvtoVAZ and the Izhevsk Automobile Plant produced 587.6 thousand cars. According to experts, the reduction in the production of LADA cars was quite natural and expected and was primarily due to the fact that the company was changing its model range. The decline was also partly due to the termination of government support programs, in particular the car recycling program. Sales in Russia this year amounted to 537.6 thousand cars, and taking into account exports 608.2 thousand. In April 2012, AvtoVAZ began production LADA station wagons Largus - cars created on the B0 platform provided by the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
At the end of 2013, the enterprise and its site in Izhevsk produced 516.3 thousand cars. During this period, the plant showed a decline in sales and production. According to experts, “the general economic situation in the country and pessimistic macroeconomics did not contribute to sales. This limited the desire to purchase expensive goods.” The total number of cars sold in Russia during this period is 456.3 thousand cars, and including exports - 534.9 thousand LADA cars. In the same year, AVTOVAZ continued to modernize its facilities and update its model range, starting production of LADA cars Kalina new generations.
Main productions
At the beginning of the second half of 2014, the production business units of OJSC AvtoVAZ included assembly and body production of LADA Priora, LADA Kalina, LADA 4x4, production of cars on the Alliance platform (B0), and pilot production.
Automotive component production included mechanical assembly (including divisions for assembling engines, chassis and gearboxes), metallurgical, press, energy production and production.
Each car produced at the car plant is tested on a car track, which consists of two ring tracks and separate sections with a test surface.
From 1966 to 1991, the Volzhsky Passenger Car Production Company included 5 (five) production facilities:
Belebeyevsky plant Autonormal;
Dimitrovgrad Automotive Unit Plant;
Skopinsky Automotive Assembly Plant;
AvtoVAZagregat;
Thermal power plant of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant.
After the collapse of the USSR, as a result, all enterprises became joint-stock companies and passed to different owners. Currently, these factories continue to supply their products both to AvtoVAZ OJSC and to other Russian car factories.
AvtoVAZ, together with General Motors and the European Reconstruction and Development, took part in the creation of the joint venture GM-AvtoVAZ. Joint production began with the release of the Chevrolet Niva SUV.
Office of the Chief Designer
The Office of the Chief Designer is a structural unit of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant (currently the General Development Department of AVTOVAZ OJSC), whose function is to design cars.
Management history of the chief designer
On October 1, 1966, V.S. Solovyov was appointed chief designer of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, who headed the Chief Designer Department.
In December 1966, OGK designers began work in Moscow in one of the rooms of the Ministry of Automotive Industry on Kuznetsky Most.
In June 1968, the administration and design services of OGK moved to the new directorate building on the street. Belorusskaya 16 (Tolyatti).
In April 1969, construction of the Engineering Center began on the plant site.
In March 1971, OGK was transformed into the Office of the Chief Designer.
In 1989, the Chief Designer's Office became part of the AVTOVAZ Scientific and Technical Center.
Leaders:
1966−1975 - Solovyov, Vladimir Sergeevich;
1976−1998 - Mirzoev, Georgy Konstantinovich;
1998−2003 - Prusov, Pyotr Mikhailovich;
2003−2006 - Guba, Vladimir Ivanovich;
2006−2010 - Shmelev, Evgeniy Nikolaevich;
2010− present V. - Kurdyuk, Sergei Askoldovich.
Interesting Facts:
On April 18, 1974, in accordance with the order of the Minister of Automotive Industry of the USSR A. M. Tarasov, VAZ issued General Director Order No. 134 on the creation of a special design bureau for rotary piston engines (SKB RPD) within the department of the chief designer (outside the staffing table) for cars and motorcycles. Pospelov, Boris Sidorovich, was appointed head of the bureau. This was the first division in the USSR engaged in research and production rotary piston engines for cars. In the 1990s, VAZ-416, VAZ-426, VAZ-526 engines were created at the VAZ Scientific and Technical Center.
Pyotr Mikhailovich Prusov is the only Soviet and Russian automobile designer in whose honor a personal Star was installed on the Technical Walk of Fame in Flint (USA) in 2010
Production Organization Department
Production Organization Directorate - a structural unit of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant (since 1994 - Directorate information systems OJSC "AVTOVAZ"), whose function is to manage the production of the enterprise on the basis of information technology and automated control systems.
The management included computer facilities, terminal devices, a telephone exchange, communication lines and a printing house. In 2010, the printing house was spun off into a separate enterprise - LLC Printing Yard AvtoVAZ.
History of production organization management
In 1966, the Production Organization Department (POD) was approved in the staffing schedule of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant under construction, headed by Viktor Aleksandrovich Mironov.
In 1968, in the plant management building on the street. Belorusskaya, 16 - the first computer center (CC) of VAZ was organized, where the Minsk-22 computers were installed. Yuri Petrovich Krat became the first head of the CC.
In 1969, on the basis of the GE-115 computer, purchased by the plant and installed in Turin (Italy), Center-Pilot was organized, where OOP specialists worked on the creation of the ASU-VAZ executive project.
In 1970, a temporary computer center based on GE-115 and GE-425 computers was created on the territory of the VAZ forge pyroproduction.
In 1971, the department was transformed into the Production Organization Department (OPO).
In 1972, the VAZ electronic computer center (ECC) was put into operation. By 1974, the main computers of the computer center were GE-115, GE-130, GE-425 from Honeywell and General Electric. In the same year, the first domestic computers “ES-1020” arrived at the plant.
In June 1976, the first local computer center (LCC) was created on the territory of the auxiliary workshop building. By the end of 1977, there were already five such LVCs at VAZ.
On May 13, 1977, the state commission under the leadership of Deputy M.E. Rakovsky signed an act on the acceptance into operation of the automated control system of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant - “ASU-VAZ” consisting of 15 subsystems.
In 1978, new domestic computers “EC-1033” were put into operation and the installation of mini-computers of the SM-computer series began. In 1982, EC-1055 computers were installed at the plant.
In 1992, the Savings and Volzhsky Automobile Plant (with the help of UOP specialists) implemented the first salary project in Russia. In January of the same year, the first Relcom network node with the domain vaz.togliatti.su was launched at the plant and in the city of Togliatti.
In 1994, the department was transformed into the Directorate of Information Systems (DIS).
In 1995, the factory automatic telephone exchange was transferred to digital technology - a Meridian telephone exchange from Northern Telecom with 15,000 numbers was installed, and in 1996 AVTOVAZ received No. 5247 to provide local telephone services.
In 1997, a satellite antenna was installed near the ECC in order to organize communications with the Comstar company (Moscow) for voice and data transmission. Later, a channel for Internet access was organized through this channel.
As of January 2005, the corporate network of JSC AVTOVAZ contained 10 thousand workplaces, more than 150 servers, 800 telecommunications nodes and 400 kilometers of fiber optic lines.
In December 2012, the 45th anniversary of UOP-DIS was celebrated, where A. E. Stepanov’s book “Business. People. Metamorphoses”, dedicated to the history of this division of AVTOVAZ OJSC.
Leaders:
1967−1976 - Mironov, Viktor Alexandrovich;
1976−1986 - Perevalov, Yuri Nikolaevich;
1976−2004 - Tikhonov, Vladimir Ivanovich;
2004−2012 - Katyanov, Yuri Vitalievich;
2012−2013 - Filatov, Stanislav Borisovich;
2013−present V. - Reut, Alexander Igorevich.
Interesting Facts
AvtoVAZ became the first enterprise in the USSR, where in November 1982, using a logic bomb, computer program(author - Urtembaev, OOP programmer), was stopped assembly line.
In 1988, UOP AVTOVAZ developed and put into production personal computers Alfa-1M, which, with the help of management specialists, were installed in schools in the Avtozavodsky district of Tolyatti.
AvtoVAZ model line
The following cars are currently being mass-produced:
Developed by AvtoVAZ
The Lada Kalina family is a family of passenger cars, the production of which began on November 18, 2004; since 2013, a modernized version has been produced Lada model Kalina II, which has undergone changes relative to Lada Kalina, similar to the already discontinued Lada Samara II relative to Lada Samara/Sputnik 15 years ago - 5-door hatchback and station wagon;
Datsun On-Du 2014 securities issueLada Largus - 5 and 7-seater station wagon, cargo van. Produced since 2012 on the B0 platform of the Renault-Nissan alliance based on the Dacia Logan MCV.
Lada Largus 2014 securities issue
Nissan Almera- 4-door sedan. Produced since 2012 with a body from the Chinese version of the Nissan Bluebird Sylphy, equipment and interior from Renault Logan 1st generation.
Nissan Almera 2012 issue
Serially produced engines
21116/11186: 8 valves, 87 hp, installed on Kalina models, Granta, Priora;
21111/11183: 8 valves, 82 hp, installed on the Granta model (previously installed on LADA Samara);
21126: 16 valves, 98 hp, installed on Kalina, Granta, Priora models;
21127: 16 valves, 106 hp, with dynamic supercharging system, installed on Kalina, Granta, Priora models;
21214: 8 valves, 83 hp, installed on the 4x4 model; K4M: 16 valves, 105 hp, installed on the Largus model.
In addition, AvtoVAZ continues to produce components and spare parts for models discontinued or produced in other cities of the Russian Federation and abroad.
Science and Technology Center
On April 8, 1986, M. S. Gorbachev visited Tolyatti, where the CPSU Central Committee visited the automobile plant. The result of this visit was the decision to create an engineering center on the basis of the flagship of the domestic mechanical engineering industry.
On September 4, 1986, the Government of the country decided to create an industry-specific scientific and technical center (STC) at the automobile plant. In 1987-1994, its main facilities were put into operation: an engineering building, a design center, a complex for preparing vehicles for testing, a complex for studying electromagnetic compatibility, noise and vibration, an aeroclimatic complex, and buildings for pilot industrial and experimental production. In 1996, the STC put into operation a full-scale aerodynamic tube.
The first head of the scientific and technical center was V.V. Kadannikov (in 1986-1988).
On September 7, 2001, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the scientific and technical center, the first stage of the technical museum was opened. Today it is a whole fleet of automobiles and military equipment, where unique exhibits from all over the country are collected.
After the French company Renault became one of the shareholders of OJSC AvtoVAZ, a decision was made to enter the Scientific and Technical Center of OJSC AvtoVAZ into the global engineering alliance with Renault/Nissan.
Affiliated companies
Motorsport
After the start of the money issue in 1970 of the first VAZ-2101 cars, the question immediately arose about creating a sports modification of the model, because the plant management believed that motorsport was one of the testing methods production model in extreme conditions. In the fall of 1970, the general director of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, Viktor Polyakov, set the task: to prepare three sports cars based on the VAZ-2101. The engines for them were assembled at the FIAT plant, but the necessary modifications to the design were carried out by VAZ engineers and technicians.
In February 1971, three crews in sports VAZ-2101s performed for the first time at the USSR Winter Team Rally Championship, receiving the honorary prize “For the will to win.” In the same 1971, the young VAZ-Avtoexport team, racing in VAZ-2101 cars, won the main team trophy of the Tour of Europe-71 rally - the Silver Cup.
In 1971, a bureau of accelerated testing of automobiles was created in the Office of the Chief Designer of the enterprise. The experience accumulated at the plant helped to better prepare the equipment, which was reflected in the subsequent successful performances of the plant’s motorsports athletes, in particular, the performance of the VAZ-Avtoexport team at the Tour of Europe - 73 was especially effective.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Avtoexport team, using specially prepared VAZ cars of various models, participated in all kinds of circuit races and rallies in Europe. In the USSR Championship there was a separate competition for Zhiguli cars. Previously, the “LADA Cup” competitions were regularly held, as well as circuit track races and various Russian rally competitions, where cars produced by AvtoVAZ participate or the competition is sponsored by AvtoVAZ, in particular the Silver Boat autocross.
After the start of production of the VAZ-2121 Niva in 1977, the design of this car attracted the attention of specialists from the French company Jacques Poc, whose owner, Jean-Jacques Poc, nurtured the dream of the Niva’s participation in major international automobile competitions. Having become acquainted with the car, French specialists began preparing it for the start of the 1978 Paris-Dakar marathon. Two declared J.-J. At the end of the day, the Nivas were among the third of the starting participants who successfully finished in this competition. In 1981, the French team that competed in these cars managed to take third place, and in the 1982 season - 2nd. Subsequently, French racers repeatedly managed to take prizes in redesigned sports versions of the Soviet “SUV”. Niva's last outstanding international achievements were the 1994 victory in Baja (Hungary), successful performances at the Atlas rally and 36th place in the overall Paris-Dakar-Paris standings. This is where the biography of Niva rally cars at international competitions ended.
In 2008, AvtoVAZ took part in the World Road Racing Championship at passenger cars WTCC on Lada 110 cars. From 2009 to 2011, Lada Priora WTCC participated in the World Touring Car Racing Championship WTCC. Since 2013, Lada Granta WTCC has been participating in the World Touring Car Championship WTCC. In the 2010 season, the LADA logo was placed on the Formula 1 cars of the Renault team. In 2012, the “Cup” started LADA Granta" The first stage of this new Racing Series took place on June 11-12 at the Moscow Autodrome in Myachkovo.
