The history of the car brand Lada

The history of the Lada automobile brand began with a large automobile plant OJSC Avtovaz. This is one of the largest car manufacturing plants in Russia and Europe. Today the enterprise is controlled by Renault-Nissan and Rostec. 

During the existence of the enterprise, about 30 million cars have been assembled, and the number of models is about 50. The development and release of new car models was a great event in the history of car production. 

Founder

In Soviet times, there were not many cars on the streets. Among them were Pobeda and Moskvich, which not every family could afford. Of course, such a production was required that could provide the required amount of transport. This prompted the Soviet party leaders to think about creating a new giant of the automotive industry.

On July 20, 1966, the USSR leadership decided that it was necessary to build an automobile plant in Togliatti. This day became the date of foundation of one of the leaders of the Russian automobile industry. 

In order for the automobile plant to appear faster and begin to function effectively, the country's leadership decided that it was necessary to attract foreign specialists. The Italian automotive brand FIAT, which is popular in Europe, was chosen as a consultant. So, in 1966 this concern released the FIAT 124, which received the title of "Car of the Year". The car brand became the basis that later formed the first domestic cars.

The scale of the Komsomol construction of the plant was grandiose. The construction of the plant began in 1967. The equipment for the new industrial giant was manufactured by employees of 844 enterprises of the USSR and 900 foreign ones. The construction of the car plant was completed in record time - 3,5 years instead of 6 years. In 1970, the automobile plant produced 6 cars - VAZ 2101 Zhiguli. 

Emblem

The Lada emblem has undergone changes over time. The first known version appeared in 1970. The logo was a rook, which was stylized as the letter “B”, which meant “VAZ”. The letter was in a red pentagon. The author of this logo was Alexander Dekalenkov, who worked as a body-builder. Later. in 1974, the pentagon became a quadrangle, and its red background disappeared and was replaced by a black one. Today the emblem looks like this: in an oval on a blue (light blue) background there is a silver boat in the form of the traditional letter “B”, framed by a silver frame. This logo has been entrenched since 2002.

Automotive brand history in models

So, the first in the history of the leader of the Soviet plant came out the car "Zhiguli" VAZ-2101, which also received the name "Kopeyka" among the people. The design of the car was similar to the FIAT-124. A distinctive feature of the car was the details of domestic production. According to experts, it had about 800 differences from the foreign model. It was equipped with drums, the ground clearance was increased, such parts as the body and suspension were strengthened. This allowed the car to be adapted to road conditions and temperature changes. The car had a carburetor engine, with two power options: 64 and 69 horsepower. The speed that this model could develop was up to 142 and 148 km / h, accelerating to one hundred kilometers in less than 20 seconds. Of course, the car needed to be improved. This car marked the beginning of the Classic series. Its release continued until 1988. In total, in the history of the release of this car, about 5 million sedan in all modifications rolled off the assembly line.

The second car - VAZ-2101 - appeared in 1972. It was a modernized copy of the VAZ-2101, but rear-wheel drive. In addition, the trunk of the car has become more spacious.

At the same time, a more powerful model VAZ-2103 appeared on the market, which had already been exported and was named Lada 1500. This car had a 1,5-liter engine, its capacity was 77 horsepower. The car was able to accelerate to 152 km / h, and reached 100 km / h within 16 seconds. This made the car competitive in the foreign market. The trunk of the car was trimmed with plastic, and noise insulation was also introduced. During 12 years of production of the VAZ-2103, the manufacturer produced more than 1,3 million cars.

Since 1976, the Togliatti Automobile Plant has released a new model - the VAZ-2106. called "six". This car became the most popular in its time. The engine of the car was 1,6-liter, the power was 75 horsepower. the car developed a speed of up to 152 km / h. "Six" received external innovations, including turn signals, as well as a ventilation grill. A feature for this model was the presence of a steering-wheel-mounted windshield washer switch, as well as an alarm. There was also a low brake fluid level indicator, as well as a dashboard lighting rheostat. In the following modifications of the “six”, there was already a radio, fog lights, and a rear window heater.

The next popular car produced by the Togliatti plant was the VAZ-2121 or Niva SUV. The model was all-wheel drive, had a 1,6-liter engine and a frame chassis. The vehicle's gearbox has become four-speed. The car became export. 50 percent of the units produced were sold on the foreign market. In 1978 in Brno at the international exhibition this model was recognized as the best. In addition, the VAZ-2121 was released in a special version with a 1,3-liter engine, and a right-hand drive export version also appeared.

1979 to 2010 AvtoVAZ produced VAZ-2105. The car became the successor to the VAZ-2101. Based on the new model, the VAZ-2107 and VAZ-2104 will then be released.

The last car from the "Classic" family was produced in 1984. It was the VAZ-2107. Differences from the VAZ-2105 consisted in headlights, bumpers of a new type, ventilation grill and hood. In addition, the car seat of the car has become more comfortable. The car was equipped with an updated dashboard, as well as a cold air deflector.

Since 1984, the VAZ-210 Samara began, which was a three-door hatchback. The model was equipped with a four-cylinder engine in three volume options - 1,1. .3 and 1,5, which could be injection or carburetor. the car was front wheel drive. 

The restyling of the previous model was the VAZ-2109 "Sputnik", which received 5 doors. It is also a front wheel drive car.

The last two models coped with poor road conditions.

The last model of the Soviet era was the VAZ-21099, which was a four-door sedan. 

In 1995, AvtoVAZ released the last post-Soviet model - the VAZ-2110, or "ten". The car was in the plans since 1989, but in difficult times of the crisis, it was not possible to release it. The car was equipped with an engine in two variations: an 8-valve 1,5-liter with 79 horsepower or a 16-valve 1,6-liter with 92 horsepower. This car belonged to the Samara family.

Up to the release of LADA Priora, many restyled “dozens” with different bodies were produced: hatchback, coupe and station wagon.

In 2007, the car plant released the VAZ-2115, which was a four-door sedan. This is a VAZ-21099 receiver, but already equipped with a spoiler, an additional brake light. In addition, the bumpers were painted in the color of the car, there were streamlined side skirts, new taillights. At first, the car had a 1,5 and 1,6 liter carburetor engine. In 2000, the car was re-equipped with a power unit with multipoint fuel injection.

In 1998, minivans of domestic production began to be produced - VAZ-2120. The model had an elongated platform and was all-wheel drive. However, such a machine was not in demand and its production ended.

In 1999, the next model appeared - "Lada-Kalina", which has been developed since 1993. Initially, the debut took place with a hatchback body, then a sedan and station wagon were released. 

The next generation of Lada-Kalina cars has been produced since July 2007. Now Kalina was equipped with a 1,4-liter engine with 16 valves. In September, the car received an ASB system. The car was constantly being modified.

Since 2008, 75 percent of AvtoVAZ shares have been owned by Renault-Nissan. A year later, the car plant was experiencing great financial difficulties, production was reduced by 2 times. As state support, 25 billion rubles were allocated, and the model range of the Togliatti enterprise was included in the state program for subsidizing rates for car loans. Renault at that time offered to produce Lada, Renault and Nissan cars on the basis of the enterprise. Already in December 2012, a joint venture between Renault and the state corporation Rostec was created, which began to own more than 76 percent of AvtoVAZ shares.

May 2011 was marked by the release of the budget car LADA Granta, which was based on the Kalina car. Since 2013, restyling with a liftback body has begun. The car was equipped with a gasoline engine with fuel injection, the volume of which is 1,6 liters. The model is presented in three power variations: 87, 98, 106 horsepower. The car received an automatic gearbox.

The next model is Lada Largus. The car is produced in three versions: a cargo van, station wagon and wagon with increased capacity. The last two options can be either 5 or 7-seater. 

Today the Lada lineup consists of five families: the Largus station wagon, the Kalina liftback and sedan, and the three or five-door 4x4 model. All machines comply with European environmental standards. New models are also being prepared for release.