In the late 1960's the then Soviet Leader Leonid Brezhnev, decided to build up the Soviet auto industry. The result was the Auto Vaz (Volga Auto Factory) which was built with Fiat's help in Togliatti, on the Volga.

As can be seen by the photo below, the plant is huge. The assembly line is 2 km long. Most work on the production line is done by hand with the aid of large rubber mallets. (True!) Even building Russian cars isn't easy so it's amazing that the three assembly lines each roll off one car every minute. That works out to about 620,000 car per year.

AutoVaz Plant, Toliatti. In the distance is a Vodka Distillery. The product of which is user to power the plant, and the workers, I am told.

The name Lada loosely translated means "beautiful". Lada produces a large range of passenger vehicles, the only 4WD being the Niva, which means "Field". The first Lada Niva prototype was built in the 1970', and production continues to this day. The new Niva is nearing full release. Check it out in New Niva.

Lada Niva Prototype

Pre-production model. Note bumpers, indicators and lack of fuel filler this side

First Production Lada Niva

First Production Lada Niva