VAZ: history of creation and development. JSC AvtoVAZ

The Volga Automobile Plant was established in the 60s of the last century. This production was at that time just necessary. The government with its construction sought to meet the need of Soviet citizens in a personal car. VAZ was originally planned as the largest production of the machine-building industry of the USSR. Over the years, the legendary enterprise has known ups and downs. His cars are still found in large numbers on the roads of our country.

New VAZ models have also been developed. The history of the auto giant is rich in events and interesting for every car enthusiast. After all, the power of this production was not equal throughout the Soviet Union.

Creation of production

The history of the creation of the auto giant begins in the mid-sixties of the last century. In 1966, it was decided to build a machine-building plant in Togliatti. AvtoVAZ was created very quickly.

The equipment that takes part in the technological cycles was produced at the factories of not only the USSR and its friendly countries, but also enterprises of Europe and the USA.

In August 1966, the country's leadership concluded an agreement with the Italian "Fiat". This concern helped to build a legendary production in Togliatti. Italians not only took an active part in the construction process, but also taught technology to perform the technological cycle of personnel.

At this stage, a small incidental situation is known. In the emblem invented by Soviet artists, a mistake was made. When it was released, the Italians wrote the letter "R" in the word "Togliatti" instead of the letter "I". The marriage was quickly eliminated.

Interesting Facts

The history of the creation of the VAZ would be incomplete if several interesting facts were not considered. During the negotiations with the representatives of the Italian Communist Party, the Soviet leadership worked out a plan for the construction of a huge machine-building enterprise in the city of Stavropol. In 1964 he was renamed in Togliatti.

This decision was not made by chance. The name of the city in which the plant was built was given in honor of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Italy P. Togliatti. He suffered a sudden death during his visit to the delegation of the pioneer camp "Artek". During this period Soviet leaders discussed with their partners details of the forthcoming joint venture.

To honor the memory of the general secretary in his honor the city was named, where the first AvtoVAZ plant was built.

Beginning of work

Since 1970 the work of the famous VAZ begins. The Volzhsky Automobile Plant was built at a rapid pace, so the first batch of Kopeyek was born very soon. This is the legendary model VAZ-2101. It was produced in an amount of 6 pieces. This car was given the name "Lada". During the first year of the enterprise's operation, 100 thousand cars were created, which were distributed among workers of Soviet enterprises as incentives for shock work.

The demand for Zhiguli was limited only to the production capabilities of the VAZ. The history of development also speaks about the export direction of sales of auto giant products. Only for supplies abroad, the name "Lada" was changed to Lada. The first name in French sounded like "zhigalo", that is, a man dancing for money.

Model development

After the beginning of production in Tolyatti "AvtoVAZ" new models appeared. On the world market came VAZ-2102 and VAZ-2103. These were modifications of the already beloved Kopeyka.

From 1966 to 1991, production facilities were concentrated in five major plants. The first general director of AvtoVAZ Polyakov V.N. (photo is presented below) and the whole work collective of the plant adapted the first model of cars under the conditions of domestic roads.

"Kopeika" was created by the prototype of the Fiat 124. It was only her designers who increased the clearance to 175 mm and strengthened the suspension and brakes. "Troika" was considered at that time a "luxury" model. It was different from the "Kopeyka" design. "Troika" had 4 lights, an improved appearance of the dashboard, as well as chrome elements.

"Classic" models

In the following years, several more "classic" VAZ models were developed. History distinguishes them as the best-selling cars. These include VAZ-2104, 2105, 2106, 2107. But the most popular was the "Six". Over 30 years of its mass production (since 1976), it sold more than 4.3 million cars of this brand.

"Quartet" and "Five" are known as economy-class models. "Seven" has become an improved version of the VAZ-2105. The designers designed a fashionable at the time rectangular shape of the headlights. The interior of each subsequent model was altered and modernized.

Improvements have been made in the field of the engine. All the "classic" models sold well. And now you can meet representatives of this generation of cars on our roads.

Subsequent modernization

The subsequent models of AvtoVAZ were developed in the 80s of the last century. The first representative of this generation of cars was "Sputnik". The people immediately began to call him the "Eight". In the index, this machine had a corresponding figure. VAZ-2108 was provided with a wedge-shaped front end. For this, he was also dubbed "Chisel".

This model had an improved transmission and an upgraded engine. All the internal components of the Eight were created by the company together with Porsche. Исаков В. И. поручил разработку дизайна отечественным художникам. The main director of AvtoVAZ, Isakov V.I., commissioned the development of design for domestic artists. After a while, five-door "Eight" with a body type sedan and a hatchback were on sale.

The end of the 1980s was marked by the release of a small car called Oka. The prototype of this car was Daihatsu Cuore.

The collapse of the USSR

The crisis affected almost all enterprises. VAZ was not an exception. The history of this enterprise knew a long crisis. The reason for this was a multitude of internal and external causes.

First of all, AvtoVAZ faced with such a concept as competition. In those years, the market was flooded with imported second-hand cars. Domestic light cars against their background could not withstand any criticism. The demand for the products of the once prosperous enterprise has significantly decreased.

In the 90's, AvtoVAZ cars were produced in much smaller quantities. At that time, job cuts reached 25%. Despite state subsidies and increased customs duties on foreign cars, demand has fallen dramatically.

Work during the crisis period

During the crisis period, JSC AvtoVAZ worked on the creation of new models. In the early 90's the world saw one of the few models of this period VAZ-2110. "Ten" was an improved version of the "Eight". This sedan model had a more sophisticated interior design and an original body shape.

In the next ten years, the production did not know any significant changes. Only in 2003 Chevrolet Niva (VAZ-2121) entered the series production. This is the only domestic model that was sold in Japan.

There is an interesting statement by the chief designer of the "Niva" Prusov PM about assigning the name of this model. He said that this is an abbreviation of the first letters of the name of his daughters (Nina, Irina) and the sons of the chief designer of GM-AvtoVAZ (Vadim, Andrey).

Investments in production

JSC AvtoVAZ enjoyed the support of the state budget, but this was not enough to awaken the company from a long crisis. The situation was aggravated by the internal struggle for the ownership of the company. There were recorded cases of property theft on a very large scale. These amounts were equal to the annual revenue from the sale of the company. Therefore, all these events did not contribute to the emergence of a loss-making state.

In 2009, the decrease in sales revenue reached a record level of 39%, compared with the previous period. The company did not know such collapse in its entire history. To the enterprise did not stop its work, radical measures were required. To do this, huge investments have been poured into the assets.

In July 2009, the authorized capital of the company increased by 240 million euros. At the same time Renault-Nissan owned 25% of shares, and Rostekhnologia - 44%. Steve Mattin was appointed as the chief designer. He previously held a similar position in the Mercedes, Volvo. Since that time the period of revival has begun.

The AvtoVAZ Museum

Undoubtedly, the history of AvtoVAZ is rich in events. Its products became a true symbol of that era. Not surprisingly, there is a museum of AvtoVAZ. He is in Togliatti. This institution is dedicated to the well-known brand Lada, not only in our country, but also abroad. After all, it was he who became known to the whole world as a machine made in our country.

There are many important exhibits for the auto giant. Here you can find the first models released after the collapse of the USSR, and the oldest specimens. Some of the cars presented at the exposition are now not to be found on the roads. Not only have they not been released for many years, but they have been completely withdrawn from service.

The AvtoVAZ museum is ready to demonstrate to its visitors the first "Kopeyka" cherry color, which was sold through the implementation network. Its owner has operated its car for more than 19 years. In 2000, he presented it to the museum. For this "AvtoVAZ" presented to the patron of the new car, which just came off the assembly line of the plant. This largest production of passenger cars deserves fame and recognition.

Enterprise today

After coming out of the protracted, deepest crisis of the WHA, whose history is riddled with various events, it is again increasing production. Back in 2004, the world saw universal hatchbacks and Kalina sedans. Since that moment, tireless developments of the new design and components of Lada have been carried out.

In 2007, a new model called "Priora" was released. Demand was still falling at that time. To stimulate it, a cheaper version of the Kalina was developed. She was called Grant. This time is marked for "AvtoVAZ" exit from a crisis. Capacity is increasing.

In 2012, based on the Renault Logan car, the Lada Largus model was developed. For the prosperity of the legendary enterprise requires a competent approach, new, extraordinary ideas and sufficient investment. With the right approach, this company will again be able to bring huge profits to the state. For this, the modern AvtoVAZ has all the possibilities. This production can become not only profitable, but also to regain its title of a legendary enterprise of domestic and world engineering.