In the 60s of the last century, several brands of cars were produced in the USSR. "Zaporozhets", "Volga" and "Muscovites" will forever remain in the memory of the citizens of our country as nostalgia for those distant times. But at that time there were not enough cars. It was almost impossible to find them on the open market. Machines were distributed according to lists at large enterprises.
To meet the growing demand for four-wheeled vehicles, the country's leadership decided to build a new car factory. As planned, he was supposed to take the main place in the manufacturing industry cars. It is from this moment that the history of AvtoVAZ begins. Its construction took place very quickly (2 times faster than planned). Equipment for technological cycles was created not only at the factories of the USSR, but also at a number of other socialist states, as well as the countries of the USA and Europe.
Plant creation
Volzhsky car factory it was decided to build in the city of Togliatti. To do this, the country's leadership concluded in August 1966 an agreement with the Italian concern Fiat, which helped in the construction of the auto giant. They not only had to build a huge full-cycle production facility, bring in the appropriate equipment, but also train the staff.
The history of AvtoVAZ in Togliatti, even at the stage of creation, knew a small incident. The fact is that the emblem for new brand cars were invented by Soviet artists. The idea of the sketch belonged to one of the capital's leaders A. Dekalenkov. But the Italians were supposed to make these logos. "Fiat" created the first thirty emblems with an error. In the name of the city "Togliatti" the letter "I" ended up as the letter "R". The marriage was quickly replaced.
The name of the plant was not chosen by analogy with others Soviet productions, which were called, for example, Ulyanovsk or Gorky. This was done for reasons of political correctness. Otherwise, "inappropriate jokes would not have been avoided."
Beginning of work
Even before the completion of the construction of the plant, personnel training began. Thanks to the tireless work of the workers, in 1970 the first 6 "kopeks" were produced - famous car Zhiguli - VAZ-2101.
The demand for cars was such that sales were limited only by the possibilities of production. During the first year, they were produced in the amount of 100 thousand pieces.
In 1973, VAZ-2101 began to be supplied to the world market. However, this brand had to be renamed Lada. The name "Zhiguli" French sounded like "Gigolo" (a man dancing for money).
Over time, the Lada brand began to be produced for domestic consumer. "Zhiguli" stopped producing.
Increasing production turnover
In 1980, the Olympics were held in the USSR and were put on the Pyaterka conveyor (VAZ-2105). However, although these models were in enviable demand, the “six” (VAZ-2106) became the most popular in the entire history of the plant. She was released into mass production in 1976.
The production capacity of AvtoVAZ was provided by five plants. From 1966 to 1991, it included the Belebeevsky plant "Avtonormal", Skopinsky and Dmitrovgrad auto-aggregate plants, TPP VAZ and AvtoVAZagregat.
"Kopeyka" and "Troika"
Remembering everything (in the entire history of the existence of the auto giant), one cannot but pay tribute to its first offspring. These were VAZ-2101 and VAZ-2103. The first in the last two digits of the model number was popularly nicknamed "Penny". The second car began to be called the "troika".
"Penny" was adapted to the conditions Soviet roads model of a sedan The ground clearance of the domestic car was increased from 110 to 175 mm. Also, the developers have strengthened the brakes and suspension. This car was a symbol Soviet era cars of the 70s. "Kopeyka" became the ancestor of sedans with rear wheel drive and universal "classic" models.
A short time after the first Kopeyka rolled off the assembly line, the Troika was put into mass production. At that time, it was called the "luxury" model. It was a thoroughly redesigned "penny". Special attention paid had four headlights, chrome elements and an improved dashboard.
Further model enhancements
After the first two released, the history of AvtoVAZ includes several more popular modifications of the Kopeyka. After its serious restyling, VAZ-2104, 2105, 2106 and 2107 were put on the conveyor. The most popular among them was the Six. It was the prototype of the Fiat 124 Speciale. For more than 30 years of production of this model, 4.3 million VAZ-2106 have been sold.
The other three car brands also sold well. The designers developed rectangular headlights that were fashionable at that time. The salon has also been seriously redesigned. The engine of the car was also upgraded. "Six" and today is considered a fairly popular car.
Models of the 80s
The history of JSC "AvtoVAZ" in the 80s of the last century tells about a new stage of production. At this time, a completely new generation of Sputnik vehicles was developed. For the corresponding index in the room, like previous models, the people dubbed the car "eight". It was characterized by a wedge-shaped front end. For this, the VAZ-2108 was also called the "chisel".
The model had a new engine, gearbox. She had front-wheel drive. The shape of the car had more aerodynamics than previous cars. The body had a power structure. The auto giant developed this model together with Porsche. The Germans helped domestic manufacturer in creating everything but design.
After some time, the VAZ-2108 with a five-door hatchback and sedan went on sale.
At the end of the 80s, the small Oka was developed. Its prototype was the Daihatsu Cuore of the 1980 model. Subsequently, in addition to AvtoVAZ, Oka was also produced by SeAZ and KaMAZ.
Plant after the collapse of the USSR
The collapse was hard on many large and small industries, including AvtoVAZ. The history of the plant shows that the giant automotive technology experienced at this time a deep and protracted crisis.
The fact is that in sad days for AvtoVAZ, the plant was faced with such a concept as “competition”. Up to this point, the Soviet consumer purchased cars that rolled off the assembly line very quickly. But now a flood of fashionable, albeit used, foreign-made cars has poured into the country.
IN Soviet times cars domestic production improved little. Therefore, compared with imported cars, they did not hold water. The plant was faced with the need to reduce production volumes. Over 25% of jobs have been cut. Even state support did not help. To equalize the demand for foreign and domestic cars, high customs duties were introduced. But that didn't help much.
Working in a Crisis
The history of AvtoVAZ tells about really hard days for the company. Insufficient demand for obsolete car models, the struggle for the right to own the enterprise did not contribute to overcoming the crisis.
Moreover, the crisis of the financial system further contributed to the deterioration of affairs. The state supported the dying production in every possible way. But the accumulated internal and external problems could not be solved only by these measures.
Cases of mass theft of products and components were recorded. These were huge sums even for such a large enterprise. In 2009, the decline in sales was a record and amounted to 39% compared to 2008.
Huge investments were required to save the country's largest automobile plant. Anti-crisis measures were developed. Having solved its internal and external problems, the enterprise could get back on its feet.
Way out of the crisis
AvtoVAZ survived a long deep crisis. The history of the plant has more than 15 years of decadent, unpromising production in conditions of insufficient demand. However, a way out was still found. In July 2009, an agreement was reached between Russian Technologies and Renault-Nissan. It was decided to increase the authorized fund of AvtoVAZ. 240 million euros invested in it Renault-Nissan(this amounted to 25% of all shares) and three times the amount of Rostekhnologiya (while increasing its share in the authorized capital by 44%). Troika Dialog was losing 17.5% of its share.
In addition, it was decided to give the position of chief designer to Steve Mattin, who previously held a similar position in such global companies as Mercedes and Volvo. A period of gradual revival began.
AvtoVAZ, whose history of creation and work knew many ups and downs, during the crisis is characterized by small update models. So, in the early 90s of the last century, the VAZ-2110 became one of the few new models. It was a sedan developed on the basis of the G8. This car had a rather original body, as well as interior design.
After him, for about 10 years, production did not know significant updates. The crisis that befell the previously prosperous plant affected all areas of its activity. Only in 2003 on the basis of joint venture"GM-AvtoVAZ" was put into mass production Chevrolet Niva. A year later, the production of sedans, hatchbacks and station wagons of the Kalina type was launched in Togliatti.
2007 is marked by the release of a new model of the auto giant Lada Priora. To stimulate consumer demand in 2011, Kalina was replaced by its cheaper version of Grant. In 2012, a modified version was put into production. Renault Logan universal type Lada Largus.
AvtoVAZ Museum
The AvtoVAZ concern has a rich history. Therefore, it is not surprising that he has his own museum. It is one of the largest such institutions in our country. The AvtoVAZ History Museum is located in Tolyatti. It is dedicated to the well-known not only domestic, but also foreign brand "Lada".
This museum presents only exhibits that are especially significant for the history of the plant. There are the first models of Granta, Largus, Kalina produced after the collapse of the USSR. Also in the museum you can find cars that are no longer in production, but are unlikely to be seen on the streets of the cities of our country.
The entire history from the first day of the plant's operation to the present is kept within the walls of the famous museum. The first "cherry" penny, sold through the company's branded network, is now on display here. It was operated by its owner for about 19 years. He donated it to the museum in 2000, for which he received it as a gift new car just started to go on sale.
Some interesting facts
A brief history of AvtoVAZ would be incomplete without some interesting facts. For example, "Niva" (or VAZ-2121) was the only domestic car that has ever been sold in Japan.
The city in which the car plant was built was previously called Stavropol. But in 1964 it was renamed in honor of P. Togliatti, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Italy. He died during a visit to the Artek children's camp during negotiations on a future co-production.
The chief designer of the Niva, P. M. Prusov, says that this name was given to the car by the first letters of the names of his daughters (Nina and Irina), as well as the sons of the first chief designer of production (Vadim and Andrey).
Concern today
Having survived a deep crisis, the concern is gradually getting back on its feet. The history of AvtoVAZ deserves respect. After all, in spite of everything, the cars descending from its assembly lines were a symbol of that era. Perhaps now they are somewhat behind their foreign counterparts. But at right approach improve the automotive industry will be possible.
The future belongs to the largest manufacturer in our country cars There is. With a competent approach, it can bring the country big profit. After all, even such old models as the "six" and "seven" are still in demand both among the citizens of our country and on the territory of all post-socialist countries. Therefore, applying new technologies, developing new models with improved qualities of both mechanisms and design, it is possible to bring the auto giant to a new level.
Although passenger cars were produced in the USSR in the 60s of the last century, they were in incredible shortage. "Victory", "Volga", "Moskvich" and "Zaporozhets" were distributed exclusively according to the lists of enterprises, and it was most often possible to purchase them even at the place of work only through great pull. July 20, 1966, after analyzing 54 different construction sites, the Central Committee of the CPSU and Soviet government It was decided to build a new large automobile plant in the city of Togliatti. Preparation technical project was entrusted to the Italian automobile concern FIAT. On August 15, 1966, in Moscow, the head of FIAT, Gianni Agnelli, signed a contract with the Minister automotive industry USSR Alexander Tarasov to create an automobile plant in the city of Togliatti with a full production cycle.
(61 photos)
The territory of the future automobile plant, 1966.
The first tent at the future construction site. At the center of the group CEO Volga Automobile Plant V.N. Polyakov, 1966
On January 3, 1967, the Central Committee of the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League declared the construction of the Volga Automobile Plant an All-Union shock Komsomol construction site. Thousands of people, mostly young people, went to Tolyatti to build the auto giant.
The construction of the domestic auto giant was entrusted to the Administration of Kuibyshevgidrostroy. In January 1967, the first cubic meter of earth was excavated at the construction site.
The personnel department of Kuibyshevgidrostroy received thousands of letters from those wishing to take part in the construction of the plant. Everyone understood that building and then working at the VAZ meant being at the epicenter modern life, and the possibility of obtaining an apartment in Togliatti was more likely than anywhere else.
Nikolai Semizorov, head of the Kuibyshevgidrostroy department, recalls that he was simply struck by the scope of the construction. In four years, it was necessary to build a plant, a thermal power plant, the Avtozavodsky district of Togliatti and much more with a total cost (according to the most conservative estimates) of over two billion rubles.
The state did not spare money for the construction of the VAZ. In a short time, Kuibyshevgidrostroy from a large construction organization, even if it has the construction of the Volzhskaya HPP named after V.I. Lenin, really turned into a giant.
The technical project of the car factory was drawn up by the Italian automobile concern"FIAT" with the participation of the Institute Promstroyproekt. Teams from more than 40 design institutes of our country took direct part in the design of the future giant.
Since 1969, labor collectives of the plant began to form, most of them were people who built the plant.
Installation continued production equipment produced by 844 domestic factories, 900 factories of the socialist community, firms in Italy, Germany, France, England, the USA and other countries.
V.N. Polyakov, the first director of VAZ, who led the plant from 1966 to 1975.
Laying the floor along the main conveyor, 1969
Building management VAZ.
Various musical groups often came to the construction site.
Kiosk "Soyuzpechat" next to the construction site.
The first VAZ car was based on the FIAT-124 model, which in 1965 won the title "Car of the Year" in Europe. In the photo - the first FIAT at the Dmitrovsky training ground.
In parallel with the construction of the plant, FIAT-124 was tested on Dmitrovsky auto-polygon. Rigid domestic conditions turned out to be "Italian", to put it mildly, too tough. Already after 5,000 km the car almost had to be thrown out. At FIAT, the body practically “crumbled”, the unsuitability of the chassis, and especially the brakes, to our realities was revealed. Ground clearance"Italian" in 110 mm was too small in the difficult road conditions of the Union. It was decided to increase it. True, when the Italians found out that the Russians were going to “raise” the car 17-17.5 cm above the ground, they seriously asked: “Are you not going to build roads in Russia?”
The first Zhiguli on the assembly line, 1970.
On April 19, 1970, the first six VAZ-2101 Zhiguli cars, now known in most foreign countries as Lada, rolled off the main assembly line of VAZ. The first-born lived up to the expectations of its creators. Driving performance were excellent and overhaul was required only after the car had traveled a distance equal to ten trips from Moscow to Vladivostok.
The role of the first-born "VAZ" in history domestic automotive industry hard to overestimate. With its appearance, the Soviet automotive industry has stepped more than one step forward. For 14 years spent on the assembly line, about 3,000,000 "kopecks" rolled out of the factory floor.
In 1973, the VAZ car got another name - "Lada", intended for a foreign consumer. One version of the choice of this name says that the AvtoVAZ designers on the eve of the day accidentally heard the then-popular song “You don’t need to frown, Lada.” Other stories draw analogies with trademark enterprise "Rook", which appeared almost simultaneously with the "Zhiguli". One way or another, everyone immediately liked this name.
"VAZ" go to work.
Thousands of new cars went to different cities Soviet Union and neighboring countries.
The general director of the Volga Automobile Plant introduces the secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU A. Kirilenko to the workshops, 1973
Plant from a bird's eye view.
New cars are waiting for their departure.
Already in December 1973, the millionth car was produced at the plant.
Model VAZ-2108, made in full size from plasticine.
In December 1979, the first prototype of the VAZ-2108 car was assembled in the experimental workshop.
CHP VAZ (the largest in Europe, at the time of construction) and a car factory.
New machines at the sites of the plant.
First released in 1970 VAZ car, with serial number 0000001, had one owner in Samara and again became the property of the plant in 2000, is stored in the museum. (years of production VAZ-2101 1970-1981)
The millionth VAZ-2103 is stored in the AvtoVAZ Museum. (years of production VAZ-2103 1972-1983)
Newest production model AvtoVAZ - "Lada-Granta", launched on the conveyor at the end of 2011.
Brief information: the total area of the production buildings of the automobile plant is 2.1 million square meters. m, length of conveyors - 150 km, technological equipment- 16.5 thousand units. During the construction of the plant, 213 km of highways were put into operation, railway tracks- 180 km, 6 million cubic meters of monolithic and prefabricated reinforced concrete were laid, 300 thousand tons of metal structures were assembled. To understand what place the Volga Automobile Plant took in the hierarchy Soviet car industry, it is enough to know the following fact: in the mid-60s, all existing plants in the USSR produced the same number of cars, including trucks and buses, as AvtoVAZ was designed for - 660 thousand cars a year.
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closeAvtoVAZ (Volga Automobile Plant) - largest manufacturer passenger cars in the Russian Federation and Eastern Europe, actively working in 46 countries of the world. IN this group companies are 270 subsidiaries, and its staff has more than 20 thousand employees, thanks to which thousands of vehicles are produced annually with the current and modern design, comfortable lounge and excellent technical specifications which are ideal for Russian realities. Today AvtoVAZ is controlled by Renault-Nissan Alliance and is based in Togliatti.
The automaker owns the famous Lada brand - the leader of the car market in our country, both among domestic and many foreign brands. The current model range of Lada is very wide and includes cars with different types bodies - among them there are stylish sedans, and station wagons with impressive roominess, and hatchbacks with high ground clearance.
Having gone through difficult times of economic and political formation new Russia, AvtoVAZ continues to develop the model range of its popular brand, following the last fashion trends automotive industry and implementing Hi-tech into production.
Interesting Facts about the brand:
- Its appearance was preceded by the release of the Zhiguli VAZ-2101 with the same design as the Fiat-124. soviet auto had over 800 differences with the "Italian": for example, "Zhiguli" received not disk, but drum brake mechanisms, as well as a stronger body, reinforced suspension and increased ground clearance to best match road conditions Soviet republics.
- In 2011 for appearance its models were taken by the British designer Steve Mattin, who previously worked with Volvo and Mercedes-Benz.
- The first Lada Kalina cars began to be designed in 1993, and went on sale in 1999. First, a hatchback made its debut, later a sedan was shown, and in 2001 a station wagon premiered. The state employee Granta replaced Kalina only 10 years later and caused a real stir among the Russians, because this is the first Lada, which was serially equipped with an automatic transmission, namely, a 4-speed automatic transmission Japanese company Jatco.
- The brand is named after the Slavic goddess - the patroness of love and beauty.
- The cost of Lada cars is quite affordable, so buy a Lada in Moscow at reasonable price absolutely real.
Style and technology Lada
Cars domestic brand have always been incredibly practical, but after the arrival of the ex-designer Steve's Volvo Mattin and revision of previous views on the style of cars, AvtoVAZ decided to produce not only practical, but also really beautiful models with an ergonomic interior. A striking example of this is the spectacular and dynamic Vesta sedan or the solid "raised" Xray hatchback.
The Togliatti manufacturer is trying to keep up with the times and use latest developments when creating your products:
