Today marks half a century since the founding of JSC AVTOVAZ. Exactly 50 years ago, a government decree was adopted on the construction of an automobile plant in the city of Togliatti, with Viktor Nikolaevich Polyakov appointed as its general director. The plant was built throughout the country, they planned to build it in 6 years, but in fact everything is ready in three and a half years. Already in 1970, the first 6 cars rolled off the VAZ assembly line (http://www.vazbook.ru/en).
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a congratulatory telegram addressed to the team noted: “The anniversary is a great and significant event for employees and veterans of the Volga Automobile Plant, for the domestic automotive industry as a whole. You can rightfully be proud of your generations of predecessors — engineers, designers, workers who have always worked hard, kept a high standard of quality, boldly introduced advanced technologies and innovative solutions. It is important that the current AVTOVAZ team carefully preserves the traditions of creative work, opens up new horizons and implements promising projects, steadily increases the competitiveness of products that are distinguished by modern characteristics, reliability and environmental friendliness.
AVTOVAZ President Nikola More said in his congratulations: “Today is not an easy time for the plant, but the reserve of strength accumulated over these 50 years, as well as the comprehensive support of the federal and regional authorities and our shareholders — the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Rostec Corporation allow us to look with confidence into the future and systematically increase the share of LADA in the Russian and export markets. We have everything for success — professional staff, fundamental competencies, modern competitive production, new products and, most importantly, a great desire to work.
During its history, the Togliatti Automobile Plant has produced more than 28.5 million cars of 40 different serial models. Among the bestsellers are VAZ-2101 and VAZ-2106, sales of each of which exceed four million. The LADA Samara family has reached a circulation of 5 million copies. The legendary SUV LADA 4×4 has overcome the 2-million milestone. The current success of LADA is ensured by the new Vesta and XRAY models. LADA Vesta (http://www.ladaman.ru/en/Vesta) is in the TOP-5 best-selling models in Russia, and LADA XRAY is in the TOP-20.
In 2008 AVTOVAZ joined the Renault-Nissan alliance and it includes the largest company in Russia and one of the largest automobile plants in the world. It works on a full cycle with the necessary industries — metallurgical, press, production of plastic products, technological equipment, engines, chassis, gearboxes, welding lines, painting and installation.
The company has its own Scientific and Technical Center — a unique complex in Russia, which allows to carry out a full cycle of creating a car — from idea to preparation for mass production. AVTOVAZ is the only one out of 46 factories of the alliance that has launched a full cycle of cars of four brands — LADA, Renault, Nissan and Datsun. Today LADA is represented by 20 models and modifications in the B, B+, SUV and LCV market classes.
The celebration of the anniversary of AVTOVAZ will last 4 years, and will culminate on April 19, 2020, when it will be 50 years since the release of the first car.
