Italians in Russia: how the largest automobile plant appeared on the Volga
On April 19, 1970, the first six VAZ-2101 cars rolled off the main assembly line at the Tolyatti automobile plant. Two blue and four cherry. This is the official history of the plant. In reality, everything was a little different, but we are rightfully celebrating the anniversary of the VASE today. Izvestia recalled the details.
The Italian version
It all started on August 16, 1966, in Moscow, a general agreement was signed between the Italian company Fiat and Vneshtorgom on scientific and technical cooperation in the development of passenger cars. At the same time, the construction project of the Volga Automobile Plant was approved.
Construction of the Volga Automobile Plant in Tolyatti
Initially, 6 years were planned to solve this problem, but the workers and engineers coped in 3. Production equipment was supplied by 844 machine-building plants of the USSR and 900 companies from other socialist countries, as well as from Germany, Italy, Great Britain, France, and the USA.
As a result, the plant was built not only in record time, but also at a decent level of quality. In a few years, the VAZ reached its design capacity, and a young city appeared around the plant. Mostly the same young crews who built the factory buildings worked on it. The training was conducted by both Italian and Soviet specialists. Very soon, VAZ will earn a reputation as the best Soviet automobile plant.
For the anniversary
Opposite the new industrial city, named after the late leader of the Italian Communist Party Palmiro Tolyatti, on the other side of the Volga River, are the picturesque Zhiguli Mountains. One of the designers suggested naming the car that way — "Zhiguli". The name has been confirmed. Then, initially for export versions, other names appeared — "Lada", later — "Sputnik". And exports began already in 1971. And it was not only socialist countries that bought the Soviet fiat.
Domestic enterprises, ranging from confectionery to military, have prepared many gifts for the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the Soviet state. That was the way it was done. But perhaps the most popular and well-known among the people was the gift of the Tolyatti factory. But the question is, has it rolled off the assembly line? Serious problems arose with its fine-tuning and launch in the spring of 1970. The assembly crews worked at a rapid pace, but still did not have time to hand over the conveyor so that it would work a few days before Lenin's anniversary. But the USSR Minister of Automotive Industry, Alexander Tarasov, set a clear task — to produce products by the anniversary date. And the director of the Volga plant, Viktor Polyakov, did everything to fulfill it. He was also supported by the workers, who understood the importance of the task.
On the night of April 19, 1970, several crews from workshop No. 45-3 of the main conveyor began a trial manual assembly of cars from Italian parts and assemblies. This day fell on a Sunday, but the factory workers went to work. We worked at night so as not to interfere with the installers during the day to continue assembling the conveyor. In short, the first six "VAZ" cars were assembled manually, three days before the high-profile date. They were photographed, a solemn rally was held — and it was with them that the real history of the plant began. By that time, the experimental base was already operating on the VASE. The designers also carefully studied these six cars: they highlighted what needed to be changed and fixed before the series. And in the summer, when the anniversary celebrations died down, the safely completed conveyor started working without failures.
Car of the Year
The first VAZ model was based on the design of the Fiat 124, which was recognized as the "car of the year" in Europe in 1967. Soviet engineers made a number of changes to the design that made the VAZ-2101 a competitive car for a long time, including on roads far from ideal in the Soviet hinterland. A variety of innovative proposals were introduced: the door handles were replaced with injury-proof ones, the suspension was strengthened for better handling, the rear brakes were made drum brakes instead of disc brakes, and the front seats were now unfolded, turning into sleeping places.
The car was relatively easy to start in the cold, the interior was well heated. The first Soviet antifreeze was developed specifically for the new model and an all-Union network of service centers was created. Many people think that the components for the first Lada cars were produced exclusively in our country. This is not entirely true. A lot of things were imported directly from Europe in 1970. In the USSR, advanced Italian technologies were appreciated, starting with bright paint, which, moreover, did not fade in the sun. The first vases, which used foreign parts, were especially appreciated by the people.
Destiny is a "penny"
The VAZ-2101 was popularly nicknamed the "penny", which has been remembered to this day. These cars (by the way, they eventually became the most massive in the history of the Soviet automobile industry) initially cost 5,150 — 5,620 rubles, which was much higher than the cost price and brought the plant and the state a solid profit. And although even this amount significantly exceeded the average annual salary of a Soviet worker and employee, the Zhiguli was successfully sold on the black market at a speculative price. Demand greatly outstripped supply.
At the same time, the VAZ-2101 was sold to government agencies at a price of 2,300 rubles. However, it was not the most necessary machine for enterprises. And they didn't use kopeyka as a taxi. Most of the early 1970s Lada cars still ended up with private owners, Soviet and foreign. The Kopek was produced for almost 12 years, until 1982. By that time, VAZ had already produced a solid line of models, and in 1977 a unique car appeared, entirely created by Soviet designers. This is a Niva small-class SUV with permanent all-wheel drive, which is deservedly considered the forerunner of compact crossovers in the global engineering industry.
In the USSR, the Niva was not immediately accepted. The car, which was characterized by high cross—country ability, was too expensive - at first 9 thousand, and after a year and a half — 10 300. Then the price had to be lowered due to low consumer demand. But agricultural enterprises dreamed of such a car, and Niva broke all the records of the Soviet automotive industry in terms of exports. In short, the plant was developing, producing a surprisingly diverse range of products, both in terms of price and operational features.
The very next year, more than 170 thousand "kopecks" were collected on the vase. In 1973, about 400,000 cars were in high demand, and much more were needed. Then, after the establishment of mass production, the "penny" began to cost a little cheaper — by 100-200 rubles. But the new models that VAZ developed and produced were more expensive. And they still instantly became a scarce commodity.
Motorization of the whole country
The idea of the vase was often criticized. They say they contacted the Italians, they did not give way to domestic technologies. I think it's unfair. Firstly, cooperation with the Italians advanced Soviet design thinking. Secondly, in the same years, the AZLK plant was significantly expanded, using the achievements of Soviet engineers. Up to a hundred thousand "Muscovites" were produced at the Izhevsk plant. We could implement the ideas of Soviet designers. And at first, many motorists (especially conservatives of the older generation) preferred "Muscovites" to "Zhiguli", criticizing the latter for too thin metal ("cans, not cars"). It was only by the end of the 1970s that VAZ products won a final victory over other Soviet cars of this class. And brand—new Lada cars have become the dream (and most often impossible) of almost every Soviet person. And they could be found everywhere on the roads of the Soviet Union.
Owning a VAZ car of any model was a symbol of success in life. It was important not only to save up a substantial amount for the purchase, but also to get the company or the executive committee the right to purchase it by standing in line. And in the 1990s, when the shortage was forgotten and competition with foreign models began, VAZ, with its relatively inexpensive products, nevertheless played a key role in the "motorization of the whole country."
Records in the sanctions regime
Nowadays, the Volga Automobile Plant is developing, despite unprecedented sanctions. In 2024, AvtoVAZ produced a record number of cars over the past 10 years — more than 525 thousand. Sales in Russia increased by a third. Last year, more than 100 thousand Niva SUVs were purchased in our country. Customers! Exports to 20 countries are also continuing.
The trend continues this year. Time has proved that betting on imported cars is risky, and the country needs a domestic auto giant. And it is developing and modernizing, taking into account the needs of customers. The time of the Lada, Lada and Niv has not passed: only the models have become much more modern in all respects. And by the anniversary, the plant will definitely present new products that will pleasantly surprise motorists.
The author is the deputy editor—in-chief of the magazine "Historian"
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
