Gorky Automobile Plant. History of the automotive industry. Automotive in Russia

Today it's hard to imagine our life without a car. They flooded all roads, because it is not only an effective way to quickly get from point A to point B, but also an excellent opportunity to transport cargo or a large number of passengers. I would like to tell you about what Gorky Automobile Plant is noteworthy, and how the auto industry developed in Russia. Believe me, there is something to talk about here, after all the first cars of own manufacture in territory of the Russian Federation have appeared for a long time.

Introduction

The history of the automotive industry began back in the distant 1896, when people saw the first Russian car. He had an internal combustion engine, and his designers considered it to be Yakovlev and Frese. In the 1930s, NAZ was founded in Nizhny Novgorod (now the city of Gorky), which was later renamed GAZ. At the plant, both passenger cars and truck brands were manufactured under the license of Ford Motors, then known at that time. It was the Gorky Automobile Plant in those days that became the basis for the structure of vehicles. By 1938, the USSR had achieved great success, since GAZ, along with other smaller enterprises (YAGAZ, KIM, etc.) was able to come out on top in the production of trucks throughout Europe. Even before the start of the Second World War, the state produced more than one million cars, which was a big figure for that time. Undoubtedly, the beginning of the war slowed down the development of this industry.

In the 1970s, intensive production of army trucks and other heavy equipment was established. More than 600 000 cars per year were produced by the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, located in Togliatti. It was at these times that the so-called "Zhiguli" and "Niva" appeared - all-wheel drive comfortable vehicles. Already in 1976 another advanced plant, KamAZ, was built. On average, 150,000 units of trucks and about 250,000 diesel engines were produced there over the year.

How did the Russian automobile industry develop?

As for the development of the industry directly in Russia, in 1992 the crisis began. The number of trucks produced by the factories decreased by 5-6 times, public transport became less than 10 times, and passenger cars from conveyors went down 30% less. But the automotive industry in Russia was gradually emerging from a deplorable situation. For example, GAZ and VAZ were able to produce even a few new models, for example, VAZ-2110, GAZ-3110 "Volga" and others. Already closer to the 2000s, the famous "Lada Kalina" 2118, GAZ 31105 "Volga" / GAZ-2117 and other models appeared. Nevertheless, the crisis was not completely overcome. For this simple reason, most of the Russian car industry experienced a merger, as a result of which holdings of the Group GAZ (formerly Ruspromavto) and Sollers were formed.

By 2002, foreign cars are actively producing. Approximately half of all that was released (more precisely, about 42%) were foreign models (cars). Freight transport also took its share in the market, about 8%, and buses - 10%. Due to the fact that the number of foreign companies responsible for the production and assembly of transport on the territory of the Russian Federation increased sharply in 2009, the share allocated for foreign cars in the domestic market has increased. Obviously, based automobile alliances have a beneficial effect on the development of the automotive industry. This applies to both sales and brand popularity. That is why we can say with confidence that the automotive industry in Russia will continue to develop successfully with the support of foreign companies.

History of the Gorky Automobile Plant

This enterprise was founded by VI Molotov in 1932. The plant produces light vehicles, as well as minibuses and light trucks. Even before 2005, the enterprise operated as an "OJSC" Gorky Automobile Plant, but in the course of large-scale restructuring a subsidiary production of trucks and cars was created, which became known as GAZ LLC. Four years later, in 2009, there was a reduction in the workforce, 2,000 employees were dismissed, and about 25,000 remained. Currently, the GAZ Group includes several divisions - Auto Components, Light Cars. The first includes billets, that is all that can be sold. It is stored in a warehouse. As a rule, these are wheels, steering mechanisms, car bodies and much more. As for the second division, this is the capacity of the GAZ automotive enterprise for the production of cars.

The first thing that was released from the assembly line of this plant in 1932 is a truck NAZ-AA (GAZ-AA) (1.5 tons). In the same year, designers began to develop a sedan NAZ-A, which has a five-seat body. Already by 1933 the Gorky Automobile Plant produced a GAZ-03-30 bus. The number of seats was 17 pieces. In 1934 a 2-ton GAZ-AAA truck was assembled, and at the same time a GAZ-410 dump truck was assembled . By 1938, GAZ-MM came off the assembly line - a truck that could boast of fifty "horses" under the hood. At the same time, sanitary transport GAZ-55, as well as GAZ-60 with increased cross-country capacity due to the use of a caterpillar, was constructed and put into operation.

Development in 1941-1945

During the fighting, GAZ was completely reconstructed to produce military equipment. At first, they produced a light military vehicle GAZ-64, and by October the famous light tank T-60 was designed. Its design was improved several times in order to increase the operational characteristics, which made it possible to gain advantages in combat. It was believed that during the war this plant was one of the most powerful in terms of productivity, so a lot of equipment was modified here, in addition, and the T-60 armor. A couple of months later, the T-70 was built, which soon became one of the most used in the Red Army. If we talk about what were the centers of the automotive industry during the war, then two of the largest ones are GAZ and the Moscow plant No. 37. It was constantly produced light technology, for example, BA-64B, BA-64, as well as a passenger car of high cross-country capability GAZ-67.

The most successful work of the plant's engineers was the T-80 tank, the main advantage of which was the double tower. Thus, the lack of the T-70, which had only one place, was eliminated. There was also established production of SU-12 - self-propelled artillery installation. It will not be superfluous to note that the designers of the machine-building plant were constantly developing armored and caterpillar vehicles, which for a variety of reasons never entered service. During the war, fascist Germany bombed "GAZ" about 7 times. In general, more than 50 buildings with equipment were destroyed. More than 30 000 people worked on the restoration of the technological chain, which was possible in just 100 days. After the victory the plant was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, Lenin and the honorary medal of the Great Patriotic War of the first degree.

Development in the post-war years (1946-1960)

To say that immediately after the war the replacement of equipment began - nothing to say. Virtually everything that was used before the war, was recycled and immediately opened the production of new models of cars. For example, in 1946 a truck GAZ-51 and a passenger car "Victory" M-20 came out. One can not help but note the release of the GAZ-47, which moved on caterpillars and had a large cross-country capability. Around 1949 the designers developed the first prototype of the Jeep - GAZ-69, which was a great success. Following him, a sedan "ZIM" was created. He was a representative class, so only one could afford such a transport. The truck GAZ-52,53, which won in 1952 in Brussels the Grand Prix and many other awards were actively produced. The same award was awarded to GAZ-21 and Volga GAZ-13.

During 1953, a comfortable off-road vehicle was actively developed. As a prototype, GAZ-69 was used, and the car itself was called the M-72. In the 56th year, "Victory" was replaced by GAZ-21, which became very popular among the population, as it was a convenient, powerful and reliable machine. Along with this, trucks of the third generation, such as GAZ-56, were produced, which could carry up to 1.5 tons. The most powerful was GAZ-53 - up to 3.5 tons. There was a lot of technology that never left the assembly line for a variety of reasons. The fault of this was various defects, as well as vulnerabilities of models. The same GAZ-52.53 were produced within 4 years and survived a lot of modifications.

What was produced in 1961-1991?

By 1960, the renewal of the military line of cars was completely over. On the conveyor were GAZ-52, GAZ-53 and GAZ-66. The last two cars for the first time started to install new power units, for example, carburetor engine V8, which was characterized by high power. Already in the 1970s, GAZ-24 Volga was launched into production, which replaced the 21st model. In the 77th year the famous "Seagull" GAZ-14 came off the assembly line. This sedan differed not only high reliability, but also a sufficient level of comfort, as well as high performance characteristics. By 1973 was created software "GAZ", which included 11 factories-branches. Around the end of the 1970s, a significant modernization of the Volga began, and the next generation of trucks was being developed.

In the 81st year, a ten-millionth car came off the assembly line "GAZ". Due to the high qualification of the staff, it was possible to develop an air-cooled engine (diesel engine), which was used on the GAZ-4301 truck. Management in the 1980s took a responsible decision to switch to diesel production. Proceeding from this, it was necessary to conduct a massive reconstruction. The first motors went off the assembly line in 1993. Of course, within a few years you could notice stagnation, which was characterized by small issues. For example, the restyling model of "Volga" GAZ-3102 was produced in the amount of several thousand a year. For the first time for the needs of small business, designers worked on a 3.5-ton truck. Gorky Automobile Plant used the CAD design system, as well as accelerated tests of the released vehicles, which made it possible to produce new models quickly enough.

History of the plant in 1992-2000

Immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a deep crisis began. It's hard to say how the Russian automobile industry developed during this time, but one thing is for sure: Gorky Plant was one of the first to adapt to new market conditions, which allowed it to stay afloat. Cars were produced using original diesel engines with air cooling. These were the models of GAZ-3306, 3309 and 4301. But without state support, such transport had practically no demand, which promised great losses. However, at the same time, it was possible to slightly increase sales of the Volga, about 2 times. The designers created the first pick-up truck - Volga GAZ-2304, which was called Burlakom. But not all the transport of the plant was a success, for example, the 3105 business class sedan was not bought because of its unreasonably high price. Partly this was due to the fact that the transport of foreign production was being introduced deeper and created competition to domestic cars.

In the year 94 the famous "Gazelle" appeared. The total weight of this car was 3.5 tons. It should be noted that it was this model that was one of the most popular for the entire period of the enterprise's work. It was actively used for the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as for other purposes. Many experts believe that it was Gazel that saved the enterprise from bankruptcy and allowed it to maintain a stable position in the market. Since the car industry in Russia did not stand still, and there were many competitors, it was necessary to create something that could raise the economy of the plant. It was a fixed-route taxi GAZ-32213 "Gazelle". In December of 1995, the Gorky Automobile Plant produced its fifteen millionth car.

Noteworthy events of 2000-2010

It is worth noting that in 2000 a stake in the plant was bought by a large company called the "Basic Element". The holding company RusPromAvto was created, and then the GAZ Group. To date, the plant occupies one of the leading places in the production of cars in Russia. The reorganization, which was carried out in 2001, made it possible to launch the production of a model range of pick-up trucks and off-road vehicles "Ataman". But due to lack of funding, most projects have not been implemented. The financial audit made it possible to reach a profitable level (for the first time in a decade). Much attention was paid to light transport with a mass of up to 3.5 tons. By 2005, the demand for trucks GAZ-3307, 3309. significantly increased. To reduce the gap with the world's leading manufacturers, the experience of these same companies was used.

It was decided to expand the spheres of business, that is, to sell GAZ not only in the territory of the Russian Federation and neighboring countries, but also within the far abroad. This would allow the plant to become one of the largest players in the global automotive industry. Designers created buses and gazelles from spare parts that came from England (SKD). But because of bankruptcy LDV company was curtailed, deliveries were stopped, and it was not possible to implement the project. In general, 2010 was quite successful compared to the previous year. 78% more passenger cars (70 300 units) and 61% more were produced. Export was carried out in more than 30 countries.

Economic crisis

In 2008, there was a deep crisis. Literally a few months there were problems with the sale of goods. The sites were fully loaded, it was for this simple reason that the conveyor stopped several times. Demand was not even used by the "GAZ" dump truck, the diesel engine on which was not only high-quality, but also relatively economical. Because of the crisis, forced measures were taken, for example, about 10,000 people were dismissed. In 2009, we planned to implement the long-awaited project for the production of Volga Siber. But as it turned out in practice, he was unsuccessful. A total of 1,718 sedans came off the assembly line, and less than half were sold - 418 pieces. Also because of the crisis in 2009, a factory was sold in Britain, where Maxus cars were produced. Gradually, the model was withdrawn from the Russian market. To somehow increase the number of sales, the price for the developed "Gazelle" was dropped to 6,000 dollars. But even this did not help, we managed to sell only 600 cars.

After that, attempts to get out of the crisis did not end, and for the first time a serial production of Gazel-Business vehicles began. The car had a number of modifications and a relatively affordable price, which attracted a little buyers. Other measures were taken, thanks to which it was possible to level out the economic situation at least a little - it was a big step that the Gorky Automobile Plant did. GAZ produced a diesel version of the Gazel-Business car. And already in 2010 designers started to design a 4-ton truck with an engine capacity of 3.8 liters. In late December, an agreement was signed with Daimler on the release of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at the facilities of GAZ.

Conclusion

As you can see, the history of the Gorky Automobile Plant is quite extensive and fascinating, and it does not end there. The fact is that at present the GAZ Group remains the largest producer of trucks, auto components, and special machinery in the territory of the Russian Federation. As for the latest changes, this is the signing of the agreement in 2011 with GM concern about the production of Chevrolet Aveo at the facilities of GAZ. In the summer, another contract was signed for 8 years - the Volkswagen Group and GAZ signed a deal to produce 110,000 cars a year. Already in 2013, the "Gazelle Next" was released in mass production. Initially, it is planned to lower about 50 vehicles per day from the assembly line, and then increase this quantity threefold and export to Turkey, Poland and other countries. The economic situation is now quite stable, and all the conveyors are working, so the sales promise to be active. As already noted above, the history of the automotive industry does not end there at all. Let's hope that domestic manufacturers will please us with new amazing machines.