founded in 1973

Lada  is a brand of small cars manufactured by AvtoVAZ (originally VAZ), a Russian state-owned company. The first cars manufactured by AvtoVAZ were produced with technical assistance from Fiat and marketed under the Zhiguli designation. The Lada brand appeared in 1973, initially being overseas-focused before becoming AvtoVAZ's main brand for all markets in the 1990s.

Renault took control of the brand in 2016. Technical assistance from the French company started in 2008, after it acquired a minority AvtoVAZ stake. Lada was re-acquired by the Russian government in 2022.

Outside of the Eastern Bloc, Ladas were aimed squarely at the budget end of the market, where they were often as little as half the price of contemporary Western vehicles of the period. Lada vehicles are positioned as affordable and offering good value for money.

To this day, confirmed by many sources, Lada remains by far the best-selling car in the Russian market.

Automaker AvtoVAZ was formed from a collaboration between Fiat and the Soviet Vneshtorg (Department of Foreign Trade), and is based in the city of Tolyatti on the Volga River. Both sides discussed the proposal in Moscow, where Gianni Agnelli, company owner and nephew of the founder of Fiat, and Vittorio Valletta, the president of the company, had arrived from Italy. The first preliminary agreement was signed on 1 July 1965. On 4 May 1966, the Soviet minister of the automotive industry Alexander Tarasov and Vittorio Valletta put their signatures on a protocol on the scientific and technical cooperation between Fiat and the Soviet ministry. Eventually, a general agreement between the two sides was signed in Moscow on 15 August 1966. Fiat's subsidiary Comau supplied many of the automation systems in the plant.

The company began producing the VAZ-2101 in 1970, which was a more rugged version of the Fiat 124 sedan. The car was given heavier steel body panels and strengthened components, which improved reliability on bumpy roads and in the harsh winters of the Soviet Union.

vaz 2101

The VAZ-2101 "Zhiguli", commonly nicknamed "Kopeyka" (for the smallest Soviet coin, 1/100 of the Russian ruble), is a compact 4-door sedan or wagon, called small class, passenger car, model 1 in Soviet classification, and produced by the Soviet manufacturer AvtoVAZ, introduced in 1970 as the company's first product.

The car is a licence-built version of the Fiat 124, that was heavily modified and tailored for the rough climate and road conditions across the Soviet Union and much of the Eastern Bloc countries. Subsequently, it was widely, and successfully exported to the West under the Lada brand, for over two decades. The station wagon version (correspondingly based on the Fiat 124 Familiare) was known as the VAZ-2102.

The lightweight Italian Fiat 124, which had won the 1967 European Car of the Year, was adapted in order to survive treacherous Russian driving conditions. Among many changes, aluminium brake drums were added to the rear, and the original Fiat engine was dropped in favour of a newer design made by NAMI. This new engine had a modern overhead camshaft design but was never used in Fiat cars. Engines fitted to the original Lada 2101 start with the 1.2l. The drivetrain is a simple rear-wheel drive setup with a live rear axle. The engine is an inline four with two valves per cylinder and a single overhead camshaft.

The car was still produced for the domestic market as late as 1988.

vaz 2103

The VAZ-2103 Zhiguli is a deluxe compact sedan car (small class, passenger car, model 3 in the Soviet classification), produced by VAZ, introduced in 1972 and produced until 1984. Better known by its export name Lada 1500 outside of its native Soviet Union and popularly nicknamed the Troika (Russian: Тройка, lit. 'three') in its domestic market. The car was developed jointly by VAZ and FIAT at the same time as Fiat 124 Special, and the two models had the same basis and influenced each other. 2103 was built under license and tailored for the Soviet and Eastern European market. The 2103 externally differs from its predecessor, the VAZ-2101 firstly by its four, that is, double sets of headlights, different grille and direction pointers, moldings on the sides of the body and larger taillights. Its main difference - the more powerful 75 hp 1452 cc  straight-four petrol engine. In addition, this model is distinguished by the presence of vacuum brake booster as well as self-adjusting rear brakes and internally on the new, Fiat 125 based front panel. The interior was also more upmarket with a different steering wheel, cloth interior trim on export versions (in place of the VAZ-2101's vinyl) and improved dashboard featuring wood imitation, tachometer, oil pressure gauge and front panel clock.

Known as the Zhiguli within the Soviet Union, the main differences between the VAZ-2103 and the Fiat 124 Special are the use of thicker-gauge steel for the bodyshell, an overhead camshaft engine (in place of the original Fiat unit), and the use of aluminium drum brakes on the rear wheels.

niva I

The Lada Niva Legend, formerly called the Lada Niva, VAZ-2121, VAZ-2131, and Lada 4×4, is a series of four-wheel drive, small (hatchback), and compact (wagon and pickup) off-road cars designed and produced by AvtoVAZ since 1977. Initially aimed at the rural market, later models also targeted urban users. The three- and later five-door 4×4 hatchbacks were sold under the Lada marque in many markets, and have been in continuous production since 1977.

In the 1990s, three and five-door wagons on a 50 cm (20 in) longer wheelbase and an extra-long wheelbase pick-up were added to the range. After the original Land Rover and its successor, the Land Rover Defender, were discontinued in 2016, the Niva became the longest production run off-road light vehicle still manufactured in its original form. By the end of 2020, an estimated 650.000 Lada Nivas had been sold globally.

The Lada Niva is the world's first mass-produced off-road vehicle with a unibody construction (fully integrated body and frame). It is the predecessor of current crossover SUVs, most of which are built similarly. It was part inspiration for the Suzuki Vitara.

The initial engine was a 1568 cc one, the most powerful engine in VAZ during the Soviet era, taken from their VAZ-2106. This naturally aspirated 1.6-L overhead-cam four-cylinder petrol engine producing 75 hp.

riva

The Lada / VAZ-2105, 2104 and 2107, collectively marketed as Lada Riva for right-hand drive models (in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand), the Lada Nova in Germany, and by multiple other names and markets, are a series of compact sedans of the Zhiguli line-up (Fiat 124-based cars), built by Russian car manufacturer AvtoVAZ (formerly VAZ). Introduced in 1979 in the Soviet Union, and progressively introduced to Western European and global markets from the early 1980s, under the Lada brand, they were sold as saloons (2105 and 2107), and station wagon (2104) versions.

Today they are generally referred to as the Lada Classic series, being derived from the original Fiat 124 platform which has been the now-iconic mainstay of the AvtoVAZ lineup since the company's foundation in the late 1960s. Russian production at the company's main plant at Togliatti ended in September 2012.

Along with the other Fiat 124 derivatives, it is the world's third best selling, single generation automobile platform, after the Volkswagen Beetle and the Ford Model T, and one of the longest production run platforms alongside the Volkswagen Beetle, the Hindustan Ambassador, the Volkswagen (Type 2) Bus, the Toyota 70 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Mechanically, the car is virtually identical to the first-generation VAZ-2101, featuring the Fiat-derived manual transmissions, coil spring suspension all round, and aluminium alloy drum brakes with cast iron brake shoes on the rear wheels. Export sales proved to be very good in Eastern Europe.

Tightening safety and emissions legislation combined with the economic instability in the former Soviet Union during the 1990s led to the Riva being withdrawn from most Western European markets by 1997, although it remained in production at the AvtoVAZ factory in the Russian Federation and was sold as the Lada Classic. It was one of the cheapest automobiles available in the Russian market and remains the most popular second-hand car in Russia even after its production ceased.

samara

1984-2013

The VAZ-2108, known as the Lada Samara in much of Western Europe (codenamed and later officially badged as the Lada Sputnik in its native Russia), is a series of small family cars produced by Soviet/Russian vehicle manufacturer AvtoVAZ under the Lada brand between 1984 and 2013. The model name Samara originally was used only for exported models, in the Soviet Union the same model was called Sputnik ("fellow traveler", "satellite") until 1991, when the sedan version of the Samara entered in production, using the export name. It was the first front-wheel drive serial car built in the Soviet Union sincer the LuAZ-969V. The Samara had been modified and restyled during the years of production before it was finally discontinued in December 2013.

 It was the second autonomous design from VAZ (the first was the Niva SUV), and the first model not based on the Fiat 124 mechanicals.

The Samara was a car that combined a robust build and ease of maintenance with a modern style. It was produced in various three, four and five-door designs with 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5-litre petrol engines.

oka

The VAZ 1111 Oka is a small automobile designed by AvtoVAZ in the Soviet Union that was produced from 1988 to 2008. The car was initially sold under the brand names KamAZ, SeAZ  and Lada, later as an independent car brand Oka. The name comes from the river Oka.

Many parts from other VAZ models were used for the Oka, such as controls, control instruments and door handles. The body parts, suspension and suspension came from KamAZ, while the SeAZ factory supplied small press parts. The 1111 was initially powered by a 649 cc twin-cylinder engine, practically a halved VAZ 2108 (Lada Samara) engine, visible by using the same pistons and camshaft drive.

While the 1111 was developed by VAZ, only the zero series of the Oka (late 1987) was built there. From 1988 onwards, the Oka's rolled off the production line at KamAZ (later SeverstalAvto) in Naberezhnye Chelny, the planned production was 50.000 units per year.

Serial production of the OKA ended in Russia in 2008 when SeAZ built the last batch of Okas with Chinese FAW Euro2 engines. In various versions, 700.000 units rolled off the assembly line over a period of almost two decades.

niva II

GM-AvtoVAZ, a joint venture between AvtoVAZ and General Motors, presented in 1998 the VAZ-2123, a new sport utility vehicle (SUV) based on the old VAZ 2121 engine, transmission and most mechanicals; but with a modern exterior design.

In 2003, the VAZ-2123 was rebadged as the Chevrolet Niva. It features an updated body and 1.7-litre gasoline engine with fuel injection. Although the body and the interiors are new, it is still based on the old VAZ-2121 engine, transmission, and most mechanicals. Its off-road ability is exemplary compared with many modern budget SUVs, having been designed for tough tundra territory.

In 2019 Lada acquired General Motors' stake in GM-AvtoVAZ and then announced that the Chevrolet Niva would be produced under Lada's name. The rebranded Lada Niva was revealed by AvtoVAZ in July 2020, with the firm saying that there was still strong demand for the 20 year old line of cars. The 2020 model is produced at the Togliatti factory with minor design updates (but no technical changes) and joins the Lada 4×4 in the firm's range.

110

The Lada 110 or VAZ-2110 is a compact car built by the Russian automaker AvtoVAZ from 1995 to 2009. It spawned two close derivatives: the Lada 111 estate and the Lada 112 hatchback.

Production began with 8-valve engines; a 16 valve engine was offered later. Overall, the car weighed around 1050 kilograms (2315 lb). It had electric windows, trip computer, power steering, and galvanized body panels. Fuel-injected models were equipped with electronic engine management system. In early 2006, new taillights and a new dashboard were introduced.

The car was very successful in the domestic Russian market. It is still popular among taxi drivers in the Southern Federal District for the price-quality ratio.

In 2007, the Lada 110, 111 and 112 were restyled, modernised and relaunched as the Lada Priora.

In 2007, the 110 was discontinued by Lada; however, Bogdan continued to produce it as the Bogdan 2110 for the Ukrainian market until 2014. Foreign production in Egypt lasted until 2015.

nadezhda

The Lada Nadezhda or VAZ-2120 "Nadezhda" ("Hope", also a Slavic female name) is a seven-person four-wheel-drive minivan, produced by the Russian automaker AvtoVAZ in 1998-2006.

The VAZ-2120 was the first minivan produced by the Russian auto industry and was based on the VAZ-2131 Niva line of sport utility vehicles. Built in small numbers, it was not met with commercial success and the production dropped down to 1,500 units before it was cancelled in 2006 due to low demand in the Russian market.

The companies Motorica and Super-Avto, two AvtoVAZ subsidiaries located in Tolyatti, produce the Nadezhda on demand.

kalina

The Lada Kalina is a supermini car produced by the Russian manufacturer Lada (AvtoVAZ) from 18 November 2004 to July 2018. The name Kalina comes from the Russian name for a type of viburnum. It is also marketed as the Lada 117/119 in Finland.

Production of the Kalina began with a four-door sedan in 2005, a five-door hatchback being released in 2006 and a station wagon released in 2007. The hot-dip galvanized steel with enhanced corrosion resistance used in the production of this car was specially developed by a number of Russian steel producers.

There are three inline-four gasoline engine options, ranging from 81 to 98 hp: a 1.4-litre 16-valve 91hp, a 1.6-litre 8-valve 81 hp and a 1.6-litre 16-valve 98 hp.

The second generation of the Kalina was revealed in 2012. It is basically a facelifted first generation, albeit with a slightly extended wheelbase.

It is powered by a range of two 1.6-litre petrol engines, with 8 and 16-valve respectively, developing 86 to 105 horsepower and 140 to 145 N⋅m of torque.

The hatchback entered production in May 2013, followed by the station wagon later in September. A sport version was also available in the Russian market.

priora

The Lada Priora is a compact car produced by the Russian automaker AvtoVAZ from March 2007 to July 2018. It is largely a restyled and modernised Lada 110 and replaced it in 2009. By May 16, 2012, 590.000 Prioras had been produced. Starting model year 2016, the Priora is not available for export market and has been replaced by Lada Vesta (but is still available domestically).

The car received a 1.6 L engine with 16 valves and a new transmission, designed to transfer torque of 145 N·m, and a box set of closed transmission bearings with an extended lifespan. The maximum speed of the Priora 1.8 L is 190 km/h, with acceleration from 0–100 km/h in 10 seconds.

Lada Priora 1.6 AMT (106 hp), equipped with an automated manual transmission, debuted in 2014. The AMT gearbox is made on the base of a standard five-speed manual transmission, but was supplemented with electro-hydraulic actuators and an electronic control unit of the ZF Group.

In March 2008, Renault purchased a minority 25% stake in AvtoVAZ in a US$1 billion deal, with Rostec retaining the remaining 75%. Sales of the Granta, a subcompact car developed in collaboration with Renault, started in December 2011. The Largus, another vehicle with Renault technology, was launched in the Russian market by the middle of July 2012. In August 2012, the XRAY concept car was launched at the Moscow International Automobile Salon. The XRAY was designed by then-chief designer Steve Mattin, formerly of Volvo and Mercedes-Benz.

For the first time in Lada history, only a year had passed between the concept car and the start of production. In 2016, after various acquisitions, Renault became the parent company of AvtoVAZ and took control of Lada.

 In January 2021, after a company revamp, Renault said it would integrate Lada and sister brand Dacia into a Lada-Dacia business unit.

granta

The Lada Granta is a subcompact car developed by Russian automaker AvtoVAZ in collaboration with Renault, based on the Lada Kalina platform. The Lada Granta was the best-selling car model in Russia from 2013 to 2015.

The Lada Granta is considered to be a step away from the classic A-, B-, and C-segment class cars and towards the needs of young Russians and small Russian families wanting supermini sedans designs that are somewhat more popular in Russia after 2010. Moreover, the Granta will likely compete with the foreign market in Russia, since most European superminis exported there are hatchbacks, thus are smaller yet more expensive.

The engine fitted is a 1.6 8 valve or a 1.6 1 valve l4. Power ranges from 82 to 107 bhp.

In September 2022, Lada offered five versions of the Granta: Sedan, Cross, Liftback, Drive Activ, and Station Wagon.

Renault ended its collaboration on the Lada Granta when Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. When production restarted in June 2022, the Russian-made vehicle did not include airbags, anti-lock brakes, or pollution controls.

Exports to the European Union came to a halt in early 2022 as sanctions were applied to Russia following their invasion of Ukraine.

vesta

The Lada Vesta is a compact car produced by the Russian car company AvtoVAZ since 2015.

Within days after the Lada Vesta went on sale in November, it became one of the best-selling cars in the Russian market. In 2018, Lada Vesta became the Best Selling Car in Russia. Lada introduced a station wagon and a "Cross" version of the station wagon, with higher ground clearance, in September 2017.

Two engines are available: a 1.6-liter engine of 106 hp and a larger 1.8 of 122 hp.  The Lada Vesta gets side airbags in 2016. The new Vesta would be the first new model to be launched after the transition of Vesta production from Izhevsk to Togliatti.

In May 2022, due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Renault sold its controlling stake to a state-owned entity, NAMI, for one symbolic Rouble. The deal, however, included various opportunities within a six year window for Renault to buy back its assets. Following the sale, production of all the more modern (with many overseas components) models ceased. After three months of no car production, Lada's parent, AvtoVAZ, resumed production of older models such as the Niva and a simplified version of the Granta. More advanced models were not able to be produced due to strict sanctions imposed on Russia due to the invasion. In April 2023, Lada announced that a locally-modified version of the Vesta (Vesta NG) was ready for mass assembly.

Business Insider reported that as a result of international sanctions imposed following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lada switched to producing vehicles with no airbags, similar to new cars in Latin America, including the Kia Rio, Kia Picanto, Hyundai Grand i10, Mazda 2, Chevrolet Spark and the Chevrolet Onix, as neither the frontal airbag nor anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in new cars are compulsory in many Latin American countries.