Gorky automobile plant gas. Gorky Automobile Plant of Nizhny Novgorod

01.04.2019

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Gorky car factory

Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) is one of the largest automakers in our country, producing cars and trucks, minibuses, special equipment, special chassis and auto units. The history of the enterprise begins on May 31, 1929, after signing an agreement with Ford motor company O technical assistance in the manufacture of cars and trucks. Construction of the Nizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant named after V.M. Molotov lasted more than three years. On January 1, 1932, the plant was put into operation, and already at the end of January the first car rolled off the assembly line. It was a truck with a carrying capacity of one and a half tons NAZ-AA. After the renaming of Nizhny Novgorod to Gorky on October 7, 1932, this model became known as GAZ-AA. Although in 1990 the city returned to its former name, the name "GAZ" was retained for the plant. In December 1932, the first five-seat passenger car with a body type "phaeton" GAZ-A was released. Both models had Ford models as a prototype - respectively Ford-AA and Ford-A. Since December of the same year, their mass production began, the country received about a thousand of these machines every month. A large number of GAZ-AA with an onboard body went to the army, the national economy, and the production of the GAZ-AA chassis was used in various specialized vehicles - mainly fire and sanitary.

In 1933, a seventeen-seater bus saw the light

In 1933, a seventeen-seater bus saw the light, which had a wooden frame and wood-metal sheathing. It was created on the basis of a modification of the experimental models GAZ-2 and GAZ-3. The GAZ-4 machine is adapted to the operating conditions and domestic technologies, the cab from GAZ AA is the basis, with a butt-joint cargo platform, on which there were two folding benches along the sides. It was equally well suited for transporting six people, as well as for cargo up to 400 kg. In 1936, the GAZ-M1 was released, a four-door sedan with an automatic ignition advance, an adjustable driver's seat, which was also called the Emka. It was a very popular pre-war car.

Modernization of GAZ vehicles

Since the launch of the plant, in addition to serial production, the designers have been engaged in constant modernization. More than a dozen experimental cars were created, produced in single copies. Developments on them were later used in the design of new machines.

GAZ-64 and GAZ-67

Before the start of the war, GAZ-64 and GAZ-67 appear - army off-road vehicles. They were created on the GAZ-61 chassis, shortened by 755 mm along the base. The car had four-wheel drive, an open body, there were cutouts instead of doors. In addition to producing cars for the army, GAZ also produced light tanks. From 1936 to 1941, 35 T-38 amphibious tanks left the assembly line, but their production was suspended. Since the 38th year, the plant has been producing GAZ-AAA with a 4M anti-aircraft gun. In wartime, all manufactured equipment was reoriented to the defense direction. Since October 1941, the T-60 tank was produced, a little later - the T-70, which had improved armor. In December 1942, an improved tank with a two-man T-80 turret was produced. In addition, GAZ released the SU-76, a light self-propelled artillery mount. In the spring of 1942, the BA-64 rolled off the assembly line, based on the GAZ-64.

During the war years, GAZ produced military equipment:

176221 cars;
About 12,000 tanks;
More than 9000 self-propelled units;
24,000 mortars;
232,000 car motors;
30,000 shells for the Katyusha rocket launcher.

For contribution to the defense of the country, the plant was awarded the Orders of the Patriotic War, I degree, the Red Banner, and Lenin.

Factory upgrade

After the Second World War, the Gorky plant updates its lineup. In 1946, the Pobeda M-20 was released, named after the victory in World War II. They were produced 600 units, and in 1948 the production of these cars was suspended. After the modernization and re-equipment of the conveyor, which lasted a year, the new Pobeda GAZ M-20B was presented, its serial production fell on the 49th year. In 1948, the GAZ 63 and 67 trucks and the GAZ 93 dump truck were released. They were intended for operation in difficult road conditions.

GAZ 12 Zim

A large six-seater executive class sedan GAZ 12 ZiM saw the light in 1950, its length was 5530 mm, and the wheelbase was 3200 mm. It was the first domestic car with a hydraulic clutch in the transmission, allowing the car to start off smoothly. The car was designed to transport party and government officials, but it could also be purchased in private ownership.

From Pobeda to GAZ 24

In 1956, Pobeda, which was outdated by that time both technically and externally, was replaced. The production of this car has become a whole era of the domestic auto industry. Middle class sedan, engine power 70 hp. Its speed reached 130 km / h. Luxury models of the Volga were produced for export. The designers of the plant did not stop at the results achieved, modifications of this car took place constantly, until 1970, when the GAZ 24 model got on the conveyor. Spacious interior, roomy trunk, 98 hp engine, maximum speed reached 140 km / h.

GAZ-13

At the end of the 60s, the GAZ 13, a seven-seat Chaika, became the new flagship of the enterprise. The design innovations included a power steering, a hydromechanical gearbox, a four-chamber carburetor, an eight-cylinder engine, whose power was 195 hp. New car was equipped with a windshield washer, power windows, an automatically tuned radio, folding seats in the middle row, fog lights were installed as standard. The next generation of this car came out in the 70s. At GAZ 14, the engine power reached 220 hp, the car could already accelerate to 175 km / h. This instance was recognized as the best of this lineup.

Diesel engine installation

Work on production and modernization does not stop trucks. GAZ 52, GAZ 53A, GAZ 66 began to leave the assembly line. Now they had more powerful engines, the carrying capacity of the machines was increased, the work of the driver was facilitated by the power steering. In the 80s, GAZ was actively working on the introduction of diesel power units on its trucks. In 1984, the plant produces its first diesel truck GAZ 4301, and a little later, a dump truck GAZ 6008, weighing 9 tons, diesel units were developed by specialists from the Gorky plant.

Autogaz

On August 24, 1971, the main enterprise and affiliated plants were transformed into Production Association AvtoGAZ, in 1973 it included 11 plants, it became known as PO GAZ. In 1992, it was transformed into OAO GAZ.

It should be noted that after the collapse of the USSR, GAZ was one of the first companies that was able to switch to a new market economy for our country.

Issue Gazelle 3302

In 1995 in mass production Gazelle, model 3302, was launched; in the course of work, it was widely used and many modifications were made. The next large party model was the Sobol modification of the 2210 and 2310 series, equipped with a four-cylinder gasoline engine. The medium-tonnage Valdai 3310 is also coming out. This model was presented in only 3 modifications. Cars had differences only in the length of the base and load capacity.

In 1997, GAZ entered into an agreement with the Italian concern Fiat, the joint venture was called Nizhegorod-Motors, and three Fiat models were installed on the conveyor. In the same year, GAZ began work on a new Siber model, which became the last car bearing the Volga name, this was preceded by the signing of an agreement for the assembly of Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring cars.

In the fall of 2000, the Basic Element company bought a controlling stake in GAZ OJSC, and the Gorky Plant became part of the RusPromAvto holding, which was later transformed into the GAZ Group. Such significant changes in the company were the result of a major reorganization. The GAZ Group acquired the British LDV Group, which produced Maxus vans and auto components.

GAZelle and GAZon NEXT

In 2014, the fifth generation of medium-duty vehicles appeared " Lawn Next”, the GAZelle line was also updated, it also received the NEXT prefix.

Nizhny Novgorod, being one of the most industrially active cities in Russia, has a well-developed infrastructure, which includes many enterprises of various types. One of the oldest, most famous and largest enterprises operating in Nizhny Novgorod and supplying products not only to Russian cities, but also to foreign countries, is the GAZ plant.

The plant is one of the largest Russian suppliers of vehicles of various carrying capacities and types. The enterprise was founded in 1932 as the Nizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant. In the same year, together with the American production group Ford Motor Company, the first car was produced - a one and a half ton truck NAZ-AA, which was renamed GAZ-AA two years later. A few months later, the GAZ automobile plant began the development and subsequent construction of a five-seater GAZ-A passenger car.

Despite the fact that initially the vehicles manufactured by the Gorky Automobile Plant were manufactured according to the drawings of the Ford Motor Company, they had some differences. Thus, based on American drawings, combined with their own developments, the plant produced an extensive line of car models. Over time, the GAZ automobile plant has continuously developed, developing new models of vehicles. During the Second World War, the enterprise was reoriented to the construction of military equipment - off-road vehicles, off-road vehicles, armored vehicles, mortars and self-propelled guns were produced.

In the post-war years, the GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod updated the line of passenger cars, and also began producing new trucks. 1970 in the history of the plant was marked by the reorganization of production: on the basis of branches and the head enterprise, the AvtoGAZ production company was formed, which included a total of 11 capacities.

Over time, the GAZ plant, whose official website can be easily found on the Internet, developed and produced minibuses, fixed-route taxis and light trucks. For all the time of its activity, the company has been continuously developing, growing with branches and developing new opportunities. The GAZ plant has several state awards, and is actively cooperating with large enterprises not only in Russia, but also in many foreign countries.

Gorky Automobile Plant: products

The plant, being one of the largest Russian enterprises automotive industry, produces a wide range of vehicles for various purposes. Gorky Automobile Plant produces:

light vehicles;
medium duty vehicles;
buses;
heavy vehicles;
power units.

The GAZ plant is also one of the largest suppliers of automotive components in Russia: fittings, steering, wheels, axles, springs, suspensions and other components. One of the activities of the GAZ plant, whose website represents full information about it is the production of fuel supply systems, in particular, YAZDA brand pumps for engines of various types of vehicles.

The GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod also produces more than three hundred types of special-purpose equipment built on the basis of production models: dump trucks, food and fuel tanks, medical and fire trucks, school buses, manufactured goods vans, hydraulic lifts and others.

The GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod is a well-deserved leader in the automotive industry!

There are many cities in Russia whose well-being is based on the functioning of huge automobile enterprises- such are Togliatti, Naberezhnye Chelny, and, of course, Nizhny Novgorod, where the GAZ plant is located. The latter has the longest history among all Soviet and later Russian automobile plants. Thanks to this, he has his own design school with solid experience, as well as many technical developments in the field of creating reliable mass car. Currently, the GAZ factory specializes in the production of trucks and special vehicles, but in its history there were many that played a significant role in the life of the country. The history of GAZ began long before the war, and he took a significant part in the industrialization of the country, which made it one of the most powerful in the world.

Foreign roots

Back in the early spring of 1929, the government of the young Land of Soviets decided on the need to build its own automobile plant, which could provide the state with vital important technique previously purchased abroad. A month later, a site for a promising enterprise was also chosen - it was located not far from the city of Nizhny Novgorod, which had a convenient location - both from the position of nearby natural resources, and in the field of geography. Before the creators of the future GAZ plant, it became - to start training their own specialists, which could take several years or use outside help. After some deliberation, it was the second option that was chosen, since the slightest delay could cause the plans to not be fulfilled. The American company Ford was chosen as the main partner, which was then the largest representative of the world market.

Soviet specialists also took part in the creation of the future GAZ plant, but most of the design work was carried out by Ford engineers, who drew up a detailed plan for the construction of the enterprise, designed for several years. Ford A and Ford AA vehicles were chosen as the initial model range for the newly founded plant - several copies were delivered to Soviet Union for testing. Exactly one year later, the GAZ project was ready and the first stone of the future was laid at the construction site. To control the production process, American specialists went to the USSR, who were supposed to monitor the correct observance of all the details of the project.

The real history of GAZ cars began in 1932 - thanks to the accelerated execution of work, the plant was built well ahead of schedule, which took only 18 months. Initially, the company's products consisted exclusively of, but at the end of this year the conveyor was replenished cars. A brilliant designer-technician, former head of the NAMI automobile department, A. A. Lipgart, was invited to the position of chief engineer and leading specialist of the GAZ design department.

First production

Video about the history of the GAZ plant:

Of course they were in modern history GAZ plant and unsuccessful lines. In particular, from 2006 to 2009, the group of companies included the British company LDV, which was engaged in the production of light trucks - it was subsequently sold to a Malaysian owner. Also from 2008 to 2010, the production of modernized Chrysler Sebring sedans was carried out under own name Volga Siber However, the project was closed due to its unprofitability.

unwavering

The GAZ plant has already proved many times that it can adequately go through all the difficult trials and survive even in the most massive crisis. At the same time, our own strong design school, combined with the use of the best technical achievements of modern automotive industry, makes it possible to make it universal in operation. Now the company is once again experiencing a heyday, to which it was led by a focus on the production of commercial vehicles- therefore, it is possible that soon the GAZ plant will delight us with new products that can please a very wide range of customers.

On May 31, 1929, the Supreme Economic Council of the USSR and the American firm Ford Motor Company entered into an agreement on technical assistance in organizing and establishing mass production of cars and trucks. basis production program Ford-A and Ford-AA models were chosen.

The plant was founded on January 1, 1932 as the Nizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant named after V.M. Molotov (NAZ) and in the same year the first 1.5-ton truck NAZ-AA (since 1933 - GAZ-AA "Polutorka") rolled off its assembly line. In December of the same year, the assembly of a GAZ-A passenger car with an open 5-seater phaeton body began.

Despite the fact that the first cars of the plant were manufactured according to the drawings of the American company Ford, they already initially differed somewhat from the American prototypes: on the GAZ models, the clutch housings and steering mechanisms were strengthened, the shape of the radiators was changed, the inch thread was replaced with a metric one. Combining Ford patents with the search and implementation of their own solutions, GAZ designers have created an extensive family of original serial models and modifications based on a lorry:

in 1933 - a 17-seater GAZ-03-30 bus, on a chassis, produced on car assembly plant No. 1 (since 1946 - Gorky bus factory"GZA");

in 1934 - a 2-ton three-axle (6 × 4) GAZ-AAA truck and a 1.2-ton GAZ-410 dump truck;
in 1938 - a modernized 50-horsepower GAZ-MM truck, a gas-generating 1-ton GAZ-42 truck, a GAZ-60 half-track truck and a GAZ-55 ambulance.

In 1933, on the basis of the GAZ-A car, the GAZ-4 pickup truck was created with an all-metal cab from a lorry and a metal platform for 500 kg of cargo. Produced at the Gorky Automobile Assembly Plant. In addition, the GAZ-6 sedan was produced there in small series.

On April 17, 1935, the 100,000th car rolled off the production line. It was a GAZ-A passenger car. Thus, GAZ was the first automobile manufacturer in the country to produce 100,000 vehicles.

According to an agreement with Ford Motor, GAZ continued to receive technical support from an American company for another 5 years after the plant was launched. So in the USSR they received documentation for the Ford Model B of the 1933 model year. It was distinguished by a closed body with a modern look and four-cylinder engine(unlike the Ford Model 18, which had a difficult-to-manufacture eight-cylinder). The model was adopted for production at GAZ, but with rather serious modifications to meet the requirements of operation in the USSR, for example, two transverse springs were replaced with four longitudinal ones, and the engine was left as a 4-cylinder, but with an increase to 50 hp. With. power. In May 1936, the serial production of the 4-door 5-seater sedan GAZ-M-1 ("Molotovets-1"), known as "Emka", began. This car became the most massive pre-war Soviet passenger car model. On the basis of "Emka" a number of serial modifications were created:

in 1937 - a GAZ-M-415 pickup truck with an all-metal cab and a metal platform for 500 kg of cargo;
in 1939 - a modernized GAZ-11-73 sedan with a 6-cylinder GAZ-11 engine;
in 1940 - all-wheel drive phaeton GAZ-61-40;
in 1941 - the world's first comfortable sedan-type SUV with a closed body.

Just before the start of the Great Patriotic War, an army commander's all-wheel drive vehicle ("jeep") GAZ-64 was created at GAZ. The first car was produced in August 1941. Almost simultaneously with the release american jeep Willys-MA. At the same time, the GAZ-64 was superior to the American counterpart in many ways.

To a lesser extent, it is known about the work at GAZ in the field of tank building. In 1936, the company produced the first series of small amphibious tanks T-38, developed at the Moscow plant number 37. However, after the delivery of 35 vehicles, their production was completed, and the design team tried to develop Alternative option small amphibious tank. This culminated in the creation of a prototype TM ("Molotov Tank"), which was superior to the T-38 in a number of characteristics, inferior in a number, and in general, both of these types had extremely limited combat capability. As a result, until the autumn of 1941, tank building at GAZ further development did not have, although the company had a huge potential for the production of light wheeled and tracked armored vehicles needed by the Red Army. It proved to be in demand later.

During the Great Patriotic War, the enterprise was completely reoriented to the production of military equipment.

In the initial period of the war, the production of a light army off-road vehicle GAZ-64 was mastered as soon as possible. In October 1941, the plant mastered the production of the T-60 light tank, the design of which was improved by the factory workers in order to improve its performance. At the same time, taking into account the greater capabilities of GAZ compared to the Moscow plant No. 37, the developer of the T-60, the design of a more combat-ready version of a light tank with enhanced armor and weapons began. Already in December, its prototype T-70 was built, and after completion it became the second largest tank of the Red Army T-70. This combat vehicle went into production in April 1942. Also in the same spring, the BA-64 light armored car based on the GAZ-64 was put into production. In 1943, a modernized (with a broader gauge) armored car BA-64B and a light army off-road vehicle GAZ-67 unified with it on the chassis were mastered. During the second half of 1942, the GAZ tank design bureau, under the leadership of Nikolai Alexandrovich Astrov, worked on strengthening the T-70 chassis in order to eliminate its main drawback - a single-man turret. So in October 1942, the T-70 was replaced on the conveyor by its modification T-70M, and in December of the same year, the T-80 light tank with a two-man turret was successfully tested and put into service. Since the need of the Red Army for self-propelled artillery was very great, the light self-propelled artillery unit (SAU) SU-76 (SU-12) was put into production at GAZ. Since the transition to the production of the T-80 light tank could lead to a decrease in the number of T-70M and SU-76 ships shipped to the army, it was decided to organize its production in Mytishchi at plant No. 40, and the Gorky residents built five experimental and pre-production vehicles of this type. In 1943, the work of the tank design bureau was focused on improving the SU-76 self-propelled guns, since its original version had a severe defect in the engine-transmission group. These efforts were crowned with success, the improved model of self-propelled guns (SU-15, and later SU-76M of the second version) was spared from this shortcoming. Also, GAZ designers developed several prototypes of wheeled and tracked armored vehicles, which did not go into series for various reasons, for example, self-propelled guns KSP-76, GAZ-74, etc. In the same period, a modernized light army off-road vehicle GAZ- 67B, which was also produced in the post-war period. In addition, GAZ massively produced engines, mortars and other military products. The leading role in the design of Soviet off-road vehicles was played by the designer Vitaly Andreevich Grachev, who was awarded the Stalin Prize for 1942 for the creation of the BA-64 armored car.

During the years of the Great Patriotic War, the following were issued:

cars - 176 221 pcs. (including assembly from Lend-Lease kits of Ford G8T and Chevrolet G7107 trucks);
tanks - about 12,000 pieces;
self-propelled units - more than 9,000 units;
mortars - 24,000 pieces;
automobile motors - 232,000 units;
shells for the rocket launcher "Katyusha" - 30,000 pcs.

In 1943, in just a month, from June 4 to June 22, German aircraft bombed GAZ seven times. Serious destruction was received by 50 buildings and buildings. Line production has been interrupted. 35 thousand repairmen, fitters and builders, working 18-19 hours a day, restored the plant in 100 days. However, it was necessary to abandon the production of the technologically complex three-axle truck GAZ-AAA, for some time the production of other automotive technology and armored cars BA-64. However, the production and delivery of the T-70 light tank to the troops did not stop for a day, although the factory workers managed to block the May indicators only in October 1943. A. A. Lipgart, N. A. Astrov, V. A. Dedkov, V. A. Grachev, A. M. Krieger, L. V. Kostkin, Yu. N. Sorochkin, V. K. Rubtsov.

The government of the USSR highly appreciated the work of car factory workers during the war years. The plant was awarded the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner and the Order of the Patriotic War, I degree.

At the end of the Great Patriotic War, work was carried out at the plant to replace the entire pre-war model range, the development of which had begun partially before the war and was actively resumed in 1943-1945. Already in the first post-war 1946, the Pobeda M-20 (prototype in 1944) and the 2.5-ton GAZ-51 truck (prototype in 1943) went into production. In 1947, the production of the GAZ-MM lorry was transferred to UlZIS. At the same time, the production of the tracked snow and swamp vehicle GAZ-47 was mastered. In 1948, the all-wheel drive truck GAZ-63 was mastered, and in 1949 a prototype of the GAZ-69 "Truzhenik" jeep was created. In 1950, an executive sedan began to roll off the assembly line. big class ZIM, mass production of the armored personnel carrier BTR-40 (GAZ-40) began. In 1953-1954, the production of GAZ-69 and GAZ-69A jeeps (in 1955-1956 transferred to the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant - UAZ) was mastered, as well as the first comfortable SUV with a monocoque body M-72 on GAZ-69 units.

In 1956, the Pobeda was replaced by the Volga GAZ-21 middle-class sedan, which underwent a number of upgrades on the way to mass production. In 1959, ZIM was replaced by the elegant Chaika GAZ-13, which lasted more than two decades in production.

R The works of the team of designers and designers of the GAZ plant, such as the GAZ-21 Volga, GAZ-13 Chaika and the truck at the World Exhibition in Brussels in 1958, were awarded the highest award - the Grand Prix.

In the second half of the 1950s, preparations were underway for the production of the third generation of trucks, which included the GAZ-56 (carrying capacity 1.5 tons), (2.5 tons) and GAZ-53 (3.5 tons) models. For the Soviet army in 1958, a 1.2-ton GAZ-62 landing truck with a cab over the engine was mastered. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, the GAZ-56 lorry did not go into production, and the development of the production of trucks and GAZ-53 dragged on until the 1960s.

In the 1960s, the renewal of the truck line was completed. GAZ-53 (1961) and GAZ-66 (1964), which got on the conveyor (1961), formed the third generation of GAZ trucks. On the GAZ-53 and GAZ-66, they began to install new power units with a powerful V8 carburetor engine. four wheel drive truck dual purpose GAZ-66 was the first among the cars of the USSR awarded state sign quality.

Since the beginning of the 1960s, the famous 21st Volga was replaced by the development of the GAZ-24 Volga passenger car, a pilot batch of which was ready in 1968, and mass production began in 1970. The car was awarded with gold medals for International exhibitions in 1969 in Plovdiv (Bulgaria) and in 1970 in Leipzig (GDR). The production of the veteran GAZ-21 was curtailed in July 1970, and in April 1975, another veteran, the GAZ-51A, was discontinued. The last legendary truck that rolled off the assembly line went to the GAZ History Museum.

In 1977, the production of the GAZ-14 "Chaika" began - a representative of the third generation of large-class passenger cars. This car was famous for its high technical level and comfort.

Also in the 1970s, a reorganization of production was carried out: on August 24, 1971, the AvtoGAZ production association was formed on the basis of the branch plants and production facilities of the head enterprise. In 1973, it was renamed into PO GAZ, which included 11 plants.

For the successful development of the production of new trucks and cars for the national economy in 1971, the GAZ automobile plant was awarded the Order of Lenin.

During these years, the development of the next generation of GAZ trucks began with an eye to their dieselization, and a significant modernization of the Volga is planned.

In March 1981, the 10 millionth GAZ car rolled off the assembly line of the plant.

In the 1980s, guided by government program dieselization, GAZ starts work on the fourth generation truck and diesel engine for him. In 1984, the first truck GAZ-4301 was assembled with an air-cooled diesel engine, independently developed by the specialists of the automobile plant.

Dieselization in the 1980s became a priority for the development of the enterprise. The reconstruction carried out in connection with this program turned out to be the most significant in the entire history of the plant. The construction of the diesel engine plant began in 1984, but the start-up of the GAZ automobile engine plant took place already in 1993.

Against the backdrop of this protracted construction, a certain stagnation has been outlined in the production of passenger cars. Introduced in 1981 new Volga» GAZ-3102 with an engine with prechamber-torch ignition and front disc brakes, did not become a fundamental novelty, but only a deep restyling of the 24-ki. In addition, its production volumes were limited to a few thousand a year. As a result, the prestigious "31st" model "Volga" occupied a niche between the usual "Volga" and "The Seagull" and, like the latter, was intended solely to serve the management of important public institutions. At the same time, the GAZ-24, modernized in 1985 and received the GAZ-24-10 index, continued to enter taxi companies and be sold to private owners in limited quantities (mainly through the Beryozka checkout store network). Only in the late 1980s did the development of a fundamentally new family of passenger cars with front and all-wheel drive begin. The design of the GAZ-3105 executive sedan was the first to begin, which was subsequently produced limited edition. GAZ-3103 sedans intended for mass production ( front-wheel drive) and GAZ-3104 (all-wheel drive) did not become serial due to the crisis in the 1990s.

In 1989, in the wake of perestroika, initiative work began at the plant to create a light truck gross weight up to 3.5 tons for the needs of small businesses that had just appeared at that time. Thanks to the CAD design system and the accelerated testing procedure, the future Gazelle family got on the conveyor in record time - back in the first half of the 1990s.

Since the end of 1989, the GAZ-3307 truck, transitional from the third to the fourth generation, has stood on the conveyor.

The design capacity and production of cars by the plant by the end of the Soviet period exceeded 200 thousand per year, about half of which were cars.

GAZ plant after the collapse of the USSR

After the collapse of the USSR, industry Russian Federation plunged into a deep systemic crisis. GAZ became one of the first large enterprises in the country that tried to adapt to new market conditions. In November 1992, the Gorky Automobile Plant was transformed into Joint-Stock Company open type(OAO). N. A. Pugin was elected President of OAO GAZ.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, the medium-tonnage carburetor truck GAZ-3307 of the transitional generation, as well as those called to replace it diesel models fourth generation: GAZ-4301, GAZ-3306 and GAZ-3309 with original air-cooled GAZ diesels, lost the mass market and could no longer ensure full capacity utilization and further successful financial existence of a huge city-forming enterprise in the absence of state support. On the other hand, the huge pent-up demand for cars since the times of the USSR allowed GAZ to increase the production of Volga by 1.8 times (from ~ 70 to 125 thousand cars per year).

Along the way, a permanent modernization of the Volga family was carried out. So, in 1992, the GAZ-31029 sedan appeared, which differed from the previous model in the predominantly modernized design of the front and rear parts of the body. At the same time, on the basis of the Volga, the GAZ-2304 Burlak pickup truck was created, which never went into production due to a sharp increase in the production of a passenger model. The small-scale business class sedan GAZ-3105, which was planned to replace the Chaika, did not find demand due to the high cost, which was associated primarily with the lack of domestic technologies for the production of modern components and accessories, as well as ever-increasing competition from prestigious foreign cars.

But the small-tonnage Gazelle truck, which appeared in July 1994, with a gross weight of 3.5 tons, became the first post-war serial GAZ lorry. Later, the Gazelle family became the most popular small-tonnage series in the emerging LCV class, extremely popular with small and medium-sized businesses and other sectors of the post-Soviet economy, thus becoming a real savior of the enterprise and providing it with fairly stable development prospects. The first million GAZelles will be produced in 11 years.

In December 1995, the 15 millionth GAZ car was assembled.

The minibus GAZ-32213 of the Gazelle family, mastered in the spring of 1996, became the basis for the revived mass type of public transport - the fixed-route taxi.

In 1996, GAZ became the first manufacturer in Russia to use engines with 4 valves per cylinder on its models. These were 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engines of the ZMZ-406 family. However, for a long time they could not displace the obsolete carburetor engines of the ZMZ-402 family, leading their pedigree since 1958, due to their lower cost.

In 1997, another modernization of the Volga was carried out. The new model received the GAZ-3110 index. In the same year, GAZ acquired a license from the Austrian company Steyr for the production of small diesel engines for cars, minibuses and light trucks. Also in 1997, GAZ entered into an agreement with the Italian concern Fiat to create joint venture under the name "Nizhny Novgorod-motors" for the assembly of passenger cars Fiat cars. Under the new joint venture, the workshop areas of the former GAZ diesel engine plant were prepared, which were idle after the curtailment of their production, but due to the default of 1998, the project did not take place. In the second half of 1998, the second family of GAZ Sobol light trucks and minibuses with a gross weight of up to 2.8 tons was put into production. -3308 "Sadko", also adopted by the Russian army.

Since the second half of the 1990s, active work to create a family of light-duty pickups and SUVs GAZ-2308 "Ataman", GAZ-23081 "Ataman Yermak" and GAZ-3106 "Ataman-2". In 1998, on the rear-wheel drive Volga platform, a “transitional” GAZ-3111 sedan was developed, designed to strengthen GAZ’s position in the business class (E2 segment) until it was mastered in the series promising models GAZ-3103 and GAZ-3104, based on the platform of the GAZ-3105 model. However, after the default of 1998, even the cost of a not so complicated GAZ-3111 model turned out to be too high for the “sagging” market.

Since the late 1990s, GAZ began design work to create a promising medium-duty low-bed truck GAZ-3310.

In the 1990s, GAZ launched cooperation with global manufacturers of equipment and automotive components:

Lucas - production of brake systems and other components;
INGERSOLL-RAND - production of high quality tools;
Haden - production of painting complexes;
CZ - production of turbochargers for diesel engines;
Bosch - production of electrical equipment for cars;
Lear is a manufacturer of seats.

In November 2000, a controlling stake in OAO GAZ was acquired by Oleg Deripaska's Basic Element. In 2001, GAZ became part of the RusPromAvto automotive holding, which, as a result of a radical restructuring in 2005, was transformed into the GAZ Group holding, where GAZ was given the role of the parent company. Accordingly, all products of the "Group" were distributed among divisions formed according to the production, and not the territorial principle. GAZ's specialization in the production of light and medium commercial vehicles was retained. According to the "Group", it occupies a leading position in Russia in the production of light commercial vehicles.

Already at the end of 2000, a major reorganization began at GAZ. Subsequently, a number of promising areas, including the program for the production of Ataman pickups and SUVs, the GAZ-3115 segment D passenger car and a number of other projects were curtailed due to lack of funds and low marketing attractiveness. The dealer network was radically reorganized (in fact, it was created from scratch), a complete financial audit of the enterprise was carried out, a number of non-core assets were removed from the OJSC. These measures made it possible at first to reduce the unprofitability, and by the middle of the decade to reach the level of profitability. The main attention was paid to the development of the most competitive direction - light commercial vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons (Light Commercial Vehicle), in the segment of which GAZ is actually a monopolist. In 2005, the enterprise was able to master the serial production of a new family of low-bed medium-duty trucks GAZ-3310 Valdai, and the general economic recovery increased the demand for traditional medium duty trucks GAZ-3307, 3309 and GAZ-3308 Sadko. In 2005 and 2006, the GAZ Group made significant efforts to overcome the technological and time lag behind the world's leading manufacturers, while in order to accelerate the development new technology the experience of leading automakers was actively used. Among the strategic goals of the GAZ Group was to increase the scale of business and join the club of global players of the international automotive market. GAZ Group focused its main attention on the segments of light commercial vehicles, class E cars and power units. In 2006, the LCV division was increased due to the acquisition by the GAZ Group of the English company LDV Group, which specializes in the production of lightweight front-wheel drive vans Maxus with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons. In May 2008, GAZ began assembling vans and minibuses in Nizhny Novgorod Maxus from English SKD kits. With the localization and transition to CKD assembly technology, Maxus production was supposed to be 50 thousand per year, but due to the crisis and bankruptcy of LDV, the project never reached this stage and was curtailed in mid-2009.

Due to the conflict over prices for engines with ZMZ in 2006-2008, part of the output of Volg, Sobol and GAZelle was equipped with imported Chrysler engines 2.4 l.

In June 2007, the Cars division carried out a restyling of the interior of the Volga sedans (31105 and 3102), but the fall in demand for the obsolete model range and the crisis forced GAZ to curtail the production of these models at the end of 2008. In 2006, GAZ Group bought the Sterling Hills assembly plant from the DaimlerChrysler concern, which produced Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus mid-size sedans, to develop the passenger model range. Starting from July 2008, the production of its own model of the E segment Volga Siber was organized on equipment exported from the USA. The volume of production of Volga Siber was supposed to be 65 thousand per year, but the model turned out to be unpopular, and after the release of 8.7 thousand cars, the assembly was curtailed at the end of 2010.

In 2010, GAZ produced 70.3 thousand trucks (+78.1% against 2009). In 2010, 83.25 thousand trucks and buses were sold through the dealer network of OAO GAZ (+61.6% compared to 2009), including exports to more than 30 countries of the world.

If the share of GAZ in the production of LCVs and minibuses in the country is about 59%, then in the production of passenger cars its share fell to 0.4% and this is the presence self brand"GAZ" in the passenger sector is over. However, the company returned to the passenger segment by assembling foreign brands Chevrolet, Volkswagen and Skoda.

Already in September 2008, GAZ faced a financial crisis, and since October, a sales crisis. In the fourth quarter of 2008 and in January 2009, GAZ stopped the conveyor several times in order to unload overstocked finished product sites. In connection with the emergence of serious debts to suppliers, as well as an offer for bonds in the amount of $147 million, in early February, the Government of the Russian Federation decided to provide financial support to the GAZ Group.

In connection with the crisis, the management of GAZ undertook various anti-crisis packages of measures, for example, since the end of 2008, a shorter working week has been introduced and staff has been reduced (from 105 to 95 thousand). Despite a shutdown in November 2008 conveyor production 31105 and 3102 sedans of the obsolete Volga family, it was supposed to make them cheaper and, if there was demand, put them back into production. However, demand did not resume, and in the spring-summer of 2009 the passenger conveyor was dismantled, in the future it is supposed to assemble foreign cars on it. Plans for the release in 2009 of the new Volga Siber model were adjusted to 8 thousand, and later to 3 thousand, in fact, only 1717 sedans were produced, of which 428 cars were sold. In 2009, Volga Siber was included in the list of domestic vehicles for centralized public procurement, but was not included in the official list of passenger cars with subsidized loans for individuals. In 2010, Siber was included in the list of models included in the recycling program, due to which GAZ was able to produce the planned volume of 5.1 thousand sedans for 10 months of 2010 and curtailed their production on October 31.

On May 6, 2009, the GAZ Group sold its British plant LDV Holdings, which had been owned by the Russian concern for three years and produced commercial vehicles under the Maxus brand, to the Malaysian concern Weststar. Deliveries of Maxus assembly kits to GAZ were discontinued in the same 2009, and the model was withdrawn from the Russian market.

To maintain sales of light commercial vehicles, GAZ has developed a version of the Gazelle cheaper to $6,000 with an UMZ-4216 engine and a lightweight cab. However, the model was not in demand - only a limited batch of about 700 cars was produced.

On February 4, 2010, GAZ Group began mass production of modernized families of light commercial vehicles Gazelle-Business and Sobol-Business. Sale of modernized cars through the dealer network started on February 25, 2010.

On July 20, 2010, GAZ Group began mass production of a diesel modification of the Gazelle-Business car.

At the end of October 2010, GAZ announced the start of production of a 4-ton version of the GAZ-33106 with a Cummins ISF 3.8 engine.

On December 23, 2010, the Daimler concern and the GAZ Group signed an agreement on organizing the production of light commercial vehicles. Mercedes-Benz vehicles Sprinter (W901-W905 series) on Gorky Automobile Plant. The release of LCV started in 2013.

In early February 2011, GAZ Group and the American concern GM signed an agreement on contract assembly at the facilities of GAZ new generation Chevrolet models Aveo. Assembly began in February 2013.

In mid-June 2011, Volkswagen Group Rus and the GAZ Group signed an eight-year agreement on the contract assembly of 110,000 cars per year at GAZ facilities. The agreement was signed as part of Volkswagen's transition to new mode industrial assembly of cars price Russia. Assembly of VW Jetta models, Š koda Yeti and Škoda Octavia will be based on the Volga Siber line. Production of passenger models own design V soon not yet expected.

On April 9, 2013, mass production of the Gazelle Next car, which is the second generation Gazelle, was launched. Initially, this car was designed for export to other countries. It is planned to start exporting these cars from Turkey, Poland and Germany. The release of Gazelle Next will run in parallel, along with the release of Gazelle Business. At first, 45 new light commercial trucks per day will roll off the assembly line, and in two months they plan to produce 150 vehicles per day.

OJSC "GAZ" today

JSC "Gorky Automobile Plant" is an open joint stock company. For 70 years of its history, GAZ has become the center of domestic engineering. The staff of the enterprise mastered more than 100 various models and modifications of automotive technology, more than 16 million cars and trucks were manufactured. All automobile plants in the country (VAZ, KAMAZ, UAZ, ZAZ, PAZ and others) were created and equipped with the direct participation of GAZ specialists.

"GAZ" and today occupies a special place in the Russian automotive industry. Retaining the role of a universal master, the automobile plant, the only one in the country, produces both trucks and cars. Gorky Automobile remains a traditional supplier of trucks for agriculture, reliable four-wheel drive trucks for the army, as well as one and a half and passenger cars of the middle class "Volga", modifications of which were developed for operation in the most difficult climatic and road conditions. The share of JSC "GAZ" in the production of cars in Russia is: cars - 7.6%, trucks - 57%, buses - 46.4%.

Behind last years a complex of highly efficient technological processes for the production of new car models: GAZelle, Sobol, Sobol-Barguzin, Sadko, various modifications of the Volga. GAZ is actively cooperating with world companies in the development of new products. Currently, a number of joint projects with foreign partners have been implemented: "INGERSOLL-RAND" (production of high-quality tools), "HADEN" (creation of painting complexes), "CZ" (production of turbochargers for diesel engines), "BOSCH" (production of electrical equipment for cars ), "LEAR" (production of seats), "TUCKER" (introduction of arc welding technology). Technical capabilities complex "HADEN-2" allow painting car bodies up to 12 colors, including two-layer enamels with metal effect.

OAO "GAZ" has a certificate for the compliance of the quality system with national and international standards ISO-9002. The distribution network of the car factory is focused on meeting the needs of consumers, making it possible to purchase a car of the required modification and according to affordable price throughout Russia. The export of cars and vehicle sets to the countries of the Near and Far Abroad is actively developing.

JSC "GAZ" is implementing a program to improve the quality of its products, which includes fundamental changes in production, in the thinking of personnel, in the management system of the enterprise. Relations with suppliers are built on the basis of the objective laws of the market economy: high quality - reasonable price. This year, about $20 million will be directed to the quality improvement program. But even now, in terms of price-quality ratio, there are no competitors in Russia for GAZ cars.

Since January 2003, the production of modernized GAZelle and Sobol light trucks began. Work is underway to create a joint venture with IVECO for the production of light commercial vehicles of the GAZelle and Sobol types, medium-duty trucks and diesel engines for them, as well as co-production with the company "ZF" for the production of gearboxes for cars and trucks. JSC "GAZ" continues to work on improving the passenger car model range. Preparations are underway for the production of the modernized Volga GAZ-3110, a new class D model, the GAZ-3115 Volga, has been developed.

Behind last year 198,135 vehicles were produced on the conveyors of the Gorky Automobile Plant: 65,648 cars, 132,487 trucks, of which 32,229 were minibuses. 6,604 car sets were delivered to car assembly plants. Spare parts were sold in the amount of 295,590 thousand rubles, which exceeds the output of 2001 by 53.4%. The production plan is formed strictly at the request of dealers.

The management of JSC "GAZ" is taking measures to increase the motivation of the workers of the plant. More than 70 thousand people work at the plant. Currently, the average salary of employees is 5174 rubles. OJSC "GAZ" is a city-forming enterprise. The well-being of Nizhny Novgorod residents largely depends on how GAZ operates. The car plant's share in engineering industry cities is 75.3%, regions - 48.4%. The automobile plant is the largest taxpayer.

"Beginning" (1929-1941)

The history of the open joint-stock company "GAZ" (formerly "Gorky Automobile Plant") dates back to 1929. March 4, 1929 A decision was made by the Supreme Council of National Economy of the USSR and an order was signed on the construction of an automobile plant. April 6, 1929 a decision was approved on the choice of the area for the construction of the future automobile plant - near the city of Nizhny Novgorod.

May 31, 1929 The Supreme Council of National Economy of the USSR and the American company "Ford Motor Company" entered into an agreement on technical assistance in organizing and setting up mass production of Ford-A type cars and Ford-AA type trucks. Technological and structural design was carried out in America mainly by domestic engineers in close cooperation with the Ford Motor Company. The architectural and construction project was developed by "Austin & K".

May 2, 1930 near Nizhny Novgorod, the first stone was laid in the foundation of the future automobile plant. Thanks to a successful project, skillful management, personal responsibility of each participant, the plant was built in 18 months. January 1, 1932 the car factory went into operation. January 29, 1932 the first car came off the assembly line - a GAZ-AA truck.

Since December 1932 the assembly of a GAZ-A middle-class passenger car began at the automobile plant.

The first cars of the GAZ-A and GAZ-AA models were manufactured according to the drawings of the American company Ford. Despite this, they were already somewhat different from the American prototypes: for the Russian version, the clutch housing and steering gear were strengthened. Combining the use of Ford's developments with the search and implementation of their own solutions, the designers created many modifications based on the "one and a half". In 1933, the GAZ-03-30 service bus appeared. At the end of 1934, a three-axle truck GAZ-AAA got on the conveyor. Later, the GAZ-410 dump truck appeared. And in 1937, the production of the GAZ-55 ambulance bus began at the branch of the Gorky Automobile Plant. Also in those years, the gas-generating truck GAZ-42 was created. On the base car GAZ-A A GAZ-4 pickup truck was created with an all-metal cab and a metal platform for 500 kg of cargo. GAZ-4 pickups began to roll off the assembly line in 1933. An important date in the biography of the plant was the day of April 17, 1935, when the 100,000th car rolled off the assembly line. It was a passenger car GAZ-A. Thus, in the 1930s, for the first time in the USSR, with the technical assistance of American specialists from the Ford Motor Company, conveyor mass production of cars was mastered.

A new milestone in the history of the plant was the creation and development of the M-1 passenger car. The mass movement for mastering technology and raising labor productivity made it possible in the shortest possible time to prepare for the production of new cars. Under an agreement signed with Ford, this car, like the GAZ-A, was also assigned its own Ford prototype. However, the design team of GAZ, headed in 1933 by a talented specialist and organizer A.A. Lipgart, taking into account not only the experience gained in the production and operation of the first model, but also his own point of view on the domestic car, resolutely refused to copy the American model. So, instead of installing a V-8 engine from the American counterpart, it was boosted from 40 to 50 hp. and the already produced four-cylinder was significantly modernized. But the main changes affected the chassis: a frame of increased strength and a new suspension design were created (on four springs instead of two transverse springs for an analogue); spoked wheels gave way to stamped disk wheels with oversized tires. The reasons are clear: the Ford chassis turned out to be virtually unsuitable for work on Russian roads.

As a result, GAZ-M1, like all subsequent models of GAZ passenger cars, turned out to be hardy, durable, unpretentious. The appearance of the car was also changed: due to the enlargement of the front part and the lengthening of the frame and wheelbase, the proportions became better, the appearance of the entire front assembly - the wings of the hood and the radiator lining - became more interesting. Thus, the design team of the plant, by creating the GAZ-M1 car, not only passed a major test, but also laid the foundations for the GAZ design school. In 1937, the M-1 car adequately represented the USSR at the World Industrial Exhibition in Paris.

The GAZ-M1 model has a peculiar biography. Year after year, being modernized in detail, it faithfully served people from the late 30s to the 50s, including the war. Based on the M-1, a GAZ-415 pickup truck with a payload capacity of 400 kg was developed and mass-produced. Emki was also produced with a 6-cylinder engine, which received the GAZ-11 index. This engine has a displacement of 3485 cc. and a power of 76 hp. not only allowed to improve the dynamics, but also opened up prospects for its use on future designs of trucks, and during the war years - on light tanks and self-propelled guns.

A passenger car with a new engine received the GAZ-11-73 index. Its first samples were ready in 1938. In addition to the power plant, a number of improvements were introduced on the cars: elongated front springs, more efficient brakes, a new instrument panel, etc. On the basis of the GAZ-11-73, the GAZ-11-40 car with a phaeton body was created, to begin mass production of which war interfered. But the all-wheel drive modification of the GAZ-61, created by V.A. Grachev, mass-produced. The car could overcome slopes with a steepness of 38`, easily climbed a steep pedestrian staircase, overcame a ford with a depth of 720 mm. Experts argued that when installing special tires with developed lugs, the GAZ-61 outperformed half-tracked vehicles in terms of cross-country ability.

By the end of the 1930s, GAZ became the country's leading automobile plant and gave the USSR 450,000 cars. He mastered the production of 17 models and modifications of cars and produced 68.3% of all cars produced in the USSR. A great merit in this belongs to the first director of the plant, S.S. Dyakonov (1898-1938)

"GAZ during the war" (1941-1945)

The Great Patriotic War required the reorientation of the plant to the production of military equipment. Factory designers and technologists quickly developed and prepared new vehicles for production: all-terrain vehicles GAZ-64 and GAZ-67, armored vehicles BA-64, BA-64B, tanks: T-60, T- 70. Along with trucks, the plant launched the production of self-propelled guns, ammunition and various military equipment.

A.A. proved to be outstanding designers - innovators in the creation of military equipment. Lipgart, N.A. Astrov, V.A. Dedkov, V.A. Grachev, A.M. Krieger, L.V. Kostkin, Yu.N. Sorochkin, V.K. Rubtsov.

"Everything for the front, everything for victory" - so, sparing no effort, the car factory workers worked in the rear. Fulfilling the tasks of the front, people did not leave the shops for days. The front-line brigades of V.F. worked selflessly during the war years. Shubin, A. Kharlamov, V. Tikhomirov and others. The names of the initiators of the production of A.Kh. Busygina, I.I. Kardashina, A.S. Kuzmina, V.F. Shubina, A.A. Lipgart, I.K. Loskutova, A.N. Somova, A.D. Proskurin are inscribed in the history of the Great Patriotic War.

The devastating raids of enemy aircraft in the summer of 1943 did not break the car factory. Under the leadership of the plant director I.K. Loskutov (1900 - 1982) in a hundred days and nights they restored 50 buildings and structures, repaired 9 thousand pieces of equipment.

During the years of World War II, GAZ produced:

cars - 176221 pcs.
tanks - about 12,000 pcs.
self-propelled units - more than 9000 pcs.
mortars - 24,000 pcs.
automobile motors - 232000 pcs.
shells for the rocket launcher "Katyusha" - 30,000 pcs.

More than 40 million kilometers were driven by Gaz "lorries" on the "road of life" in 1941 alone. More than half a million people were evacuated, more than 271,000 tons of food and fodder, 32,000 tons of ammunition and weapons, 35,000 tons of fuels and lubricants, 23,000 tons of coal - in total 361,000 tons of various cargoes. The government highly appreciated the work of car factory workers during the war years, awarding the plant with the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner and the Order of the Patriotic War, I degree.

"New Frontiers" (1945-1970)

The war had not yet ended when the Gorky Automobile Plant began to create new models of trucks and cars, which in the first post-war years changed almost the entire model range of the plant. Such a speed of renewal was worth a truly gigantic effort to re-equip production. It is worth saying that in just a year 4036 units of equipment were remounted and remounted.

The first in a series of new products was the GAZ-51 truck. Their mass production began in January 1946. This car went down in history as an impeccably reliable, rational, economical. He lasted on the assembly line for 29 years and, despite his venerable age, is still found on the roads. GAZ-51 for that time was a very advanced and perfect design. Its creators, with a slight increase in weight compared to its predecessor, managed to increase the carrying capacity by more than one and a half times and the turnaround time by half. The reinforced frame and undercarriage components had a considerable margin of safety and could be operated with large overloads. 70 hp six-cylinder engine allowed to develop a speed of 70 km / h. For three decades, the car has been repeatedly upgraded. Initially, due to the acute shortage of steel sheet in the post-war years, the machines had a cabin of mixed wood-metal construction with wooden footboards. Later, the cabins became all-metal. In subsequent years, the car has undergone a number of changes, which are reflected in the model index - GAZ-51A. The design of the car turned out to be so successful that its production was deployed in Poland, China, and the DPRK. GAZ-51 served as the basis for numerous models and modifications: GAZ-63 off-road vehicles, GAZ-651 buses (later PAZ-651 and PAZ-653), GAZ-93 dump truck, GAZ-51P truck tractor and a number of other vehicles.

The second was the GAZ M-20 car, the famous Pobeda. The first batch was assembled in June 1946. This car was destined to become not just a milestone, but to write a bright page in the history of not only domestic, but also the world automotive industry. GAZ M-20 became famous primarily due to the original body shape, which created a very low aerodynamic drag, only 0.34. Machine design has unlocked new trend in the then automotive fashion, picked up in the next 2-3 years by many global automakers. "Victory" became the first Soviet car with a monocoque body and the first in the world stock car with a body of "wingless" form. The car was also distinguished by an independent suspension of the front wheels, hydraulic brakes, hinged doors on the front hinges, and a V-shaped windshield. In a comfortable cabin with a heater, 5 people were freely accommodated. It is worth noting that to ensure additional comfort, all "Victory" were equipped with radios.

Along with the base model with a sedan body, since 1949 a modification with a convertible body has been produced. In accordance with the development of the taxi service in the country, more than 37 thousand cars of the "taxi" modification were manufactured. In total, over 235 thousand GAZ M-20 vehicles rolled off the assembly line in twelve and a half years. On its basis, the all-wheel drive model GAZ-72 was also produced.

"Victory" received good reviews abroad. It was exported not only to the countries of the Eastern Bloc, but also to some Western European countries. Under the Soviet license, GAZ M-20 under the brand name "Warsaw" was produced in Poland at the FSO plant for 23 years.

In 1948, a team of designers led by A.A. Lipgart and N.A. Yushmanov, on a government assignment, began designing a new large-class passenger car, which received the GAZ-12 ZIM index. The first industrial batch was released already in 1950. The car had a number of technical solutions that were progressive for that time and were distinguished by a high level of comfort: heated rear seats, a three-band radio, a turn signal switch with automatic reset. The car with the forced GAZ-51 engine was the most powerful (95 hp) and the fastest (up to 125 km/h) in model range. In addition to the GAZ-12 with a closed six-seat sedan-type body, a modification with a cabriolet body was developed, as well as the GAZ-12B ambulance, which was mass-produced.

The GAZ-69 SUV in 1953 replaced its predecessor GAZ-67. The most unified with the then produced "gas" cars, a simple, durable and very hardy machine was successfully operated both in our country and abroad.

"Volga" GAZ-21, which entered the assembly line at the end of 1956, is a special, classic car for us. For many people, "twenty-first" has become a symbol of an entire era. Advanced for its time, it still has a lot of fans. In recent years, there has even been a certain increase in interest in this model. Fashionable "hot rods" based on the "twenty-first", and conveyor cars catch the eye on the streets, once again confirming that the Volga is one of the strongest and most durable cars. By the way, she behaved perfectly in the role of "taxi". The design of the GAZ-21, unusual for its time, also turned out to be extremely successful. Designers N.I. Borisov, V.S. Solovyov, A.M. Nevzorov, G.V. Evart, P.K. Lapshin, M.S. Mokeev and others found a successful compromise between the European and American schools of design.

The new power unit with a wedge-shaped combustion chamber developed power up to 70 hp. Max speed the car was 130 km / h. The dynamics of the new car was significantly improved compared to the Pobeda. The acceleration time to 100 km / h was reduced by 11 seconds and amounted to 34 seconds, which was not bad at that time. GAZ-21 was modernized several times both externally and structurally, adding new modifications to the production program along the way. Since 1962, they began to produce GAZ-22 with a station wagon body, as well as an ambulance. The Volga was also produced in a luxury version for export.

In 1959, it was time for a new flagship of the company. They became the seven-seat "Seagull" GAZ-13. The design of the car was inspired by samples of American manufacturers, then trendsetters in automotive fashion. And with regard to the design, "The Seagull" was of undoubted interest due to a number of technical innovations. It was equipped with a 195 hp V-shaped eight-cylinder engine, a four-chamber carburetor, power steering, and a hydromechanical gearbox. Gearshift control was push-button, and the radio antenna extended automatically. Body equipment included: power windows, washer windshield, an all-wave radio with automatic tuning, fog lights, etc. Along with the basic model, which had a sedan body, GAZ-13A limousines and GAZ-13B convertibles were produced in small batches.

Noting the achievements of constructors and designers, the Volga GAZ-21, Chaika GAZ-13 and GAZ-52 cars at the World Exhibition in Brussels (1958) were awarded the highest award - the Grand Prix.

In March 1958, I.I. was appointed director of the plant. Kiselev (born 1917), who headed GAZ for 25 years. Under his leadership, powerful specialized plants were created, which made it possible to transform the Gorky Automobile Plant into the largest production association. The 60s - a period of updating the range of trucks. The GAZ-52, GAZ-53A, GAZ-66 models and their modifications formed the family of the third generation of GAZ trucks. For them, all powertrains were newly developed, including powerful V-8 engines. The carrying capacity of the GAZ-53A vehicle has increased to 4 tons. At the same time, its durability has significantly increased.

About the car GAZ-66 it is worth mentioning especially. Created under the leadership of A.D. Prosvirnin, he lived on the assembly line for more than a quarter of a century, but, despite this, the car met the strict requirements for it for a very long time. GAZ-66 could easily carry two tons of cargo and tow a trailer total weight two tons. By changing the tire pressure and including one of eight gears, the driver easily coped with off-road. On dry hard ground, the GAZ-66 overcame slopes up to 37 degrees, and on loose sandy - 22 degrees. The machine had a number of innovations, such as: hypoid main gear, an all-metal cargo platform, a cab that leans forward, a power steering, a windshield washer, etc. Due to its outstanding performance, the GAZ-66 quickly won recognition from drivers. At the state level, such recognition was marked with the Quality Mark.

In the same years, the development of the Volga GAZ-24 car was carried out, which was put into mass production in 1970. The new "Volga" was characterized by improved dynamic qualities, a more spacious and comfortable interior, a roomy trunk, structural safety and ease of operation. "Twenty-fourth" was distinguished by the severity of forms, simplicity, grandeur and has always been the embodiment of quality, dignity and prestige. The high strength of the body and chassis of the GAZ-24 made this car indispensable for working as a "taxi". With a 98-horsepower engine, the GAZ-24 developed speeds up to 140 km / h, accelerated from standstill to 100 km / h in 23 seconds (against 34 seconds for the GAZ-21). "A ticket to life" was given to the first GAZ-24 cars by A.D. Prosvirnin, N.A. Yushmanov, N.G. Mozokhin, V.I. Borisov, G.V. Ewart and many others. International awards have become a high recognition of these cars: gold medals at the International Exhibitions in Plovdiv (1969) and Leipzig (1970). Within 2-3 years after the GAZ-24 was put into production, in addition to the GAZ-24-01 taxis, a cargo-passenger version and an ambulance were mastered.

The end of the 1970s was marked by the release of the third generation of large class passenger cars. "Seagull" GAZ-14 was created under the leadership of A.D. Prosvirnin with the participation of N.A. Yushmanova, V.N. Nosakova, S.V. Volkova, Yu.I. Dokukin and many other designers. The beautiful seven-seater executive car was famous for the high technical level and comfort of American highway "dreadnoughts". The GAZ-14 was equipped with a V-shaped 8-cylinder 220-horsepower engine, which made it possible to reach speeds of up to 175 km / h. Among limousines (a partition was installed in the cabin of some GAZ-14s) Gorky car was the lightest and most compact. With a number of other innovations, the "Seagull" GAZ-14 was a real testing ground for the introduction of new designs, materials and technologies for subsequent mass-produced GAZ models.

"Reconstruction" (70s, 80s)

In the 60-70s, a large-scale reconstruction of the plant was carried out. It began with the refurbishment of foundries. The buildings of gray and ductile iron were expanded, new equipment was installed, foundry No. 6 was created - the country's first precision investment casting shop (1962), an automatic mold casting line was launched, also the first in the country. New factories were built: stamps and molds (1967), gearboxes (1968), truck axles (1972). On August 24, 1971, the production association "AvtoGAZ" was formed on the basis of the branch plants and production facilities of the head enterprise. In 1973, it was renamed into PA "GAZ", which included 11 plants. For the successful development of the production of new trucks and cars for the national economy in 1971, the automobile plant was awarded the Order of Lenin.

Reconstruction and technical re-equipment, begun in the 1960s and 1970s, developed especially intensively in the 1980s. Reconstruction of the 80s - the largest in the history of the plant. Only under the project of the first phase of the expansion of the automobile plant, it is planned to build new production buildings with an area of 700 thousand square meters, among which only productive capacity cases of diesel power units - 250 thousand sq.m. The construction of this facility began in 1984, and ended with the launch of an automobile engine plant in 1993. Dieselization of trucks - the main direction of the technical policy of the enterprise in the 1980s. In 1984, the first GAZ-4301 truck with an air-cooled diesel engine was assembled. Subsequently, the designers created a nine-ton dump truck GAZ-6008. For the first time, a diesel power unit developed by the specialists of the automobile plant was used on these cars.

In parallel with the release of the GAZ-24 model, mass production of the Volga GAZ-3102 began. It differed from its predecessor by a new front and rear solution, which gave the car greater solidity. The interior design was new dashboard. On the "thirty-first" installed more comfortable seats with headrests. The brake system has also been improved. It is interesting that on the first batches of GAZ-3102 cars, an engine with prechamber-torch ignition was installed. Due to its exclusivity, for several years the "thirty-first" was used only by state and party structures as a company car.

For private owners, since 1985, GAZ has been producing a modernized version of the "twenty-fourth", a car with the GAZ-24-10 index. It featured a more powerful engine, improved suspension, an electronic non-contact ignition system, and 205 mm tires. External differences were an updated grille and a more modern interior.

In the second half of the 80s, on a government assignment, the development of a new representative passenger car GAZ-3105 began, which later became small-scale.

In 1980, for a great contribution to the development of the automotive industry and international trade, the GAZ team was awarded the prestigious Golden Mercury International Prize. In March 1981, the 10 millionth car rolled off the assembly line of the plant, and in December 1995, the 15 millionth with the GAZ brand. In November 1992, the Gorky Automobile Plant was transformed into an open joint-stock company. N.A. was elected President of GAZ JSC. Pugin.