History of Lada in Timeline

Lada is a brand of small cars manufactured by AvtoVAZ, a Russian state-owned company. From January 2021 to May 2022, Lada was part of Renault's Lada-Dacia business unit, along with its sister brand Dacia. This partnership ended in May 2022. After the Renault Group pulled out of Russia due to the war in Ukraine, AvtoVAZ resumed making simplified versions of Lada vehicles without imported components. The newer Ladas do not have features like anti-lock brakes and airbags. They come with downgraded engines due to a lack of necessary electronics.

July 1965: Preliminary Agreement Signed

The first preliminary agreement between Fiat and the Soviet Vneshtorg was signed in July 1965.

May 1966: Protocol on Cooperation Signed

A protocol on scientific and technical cooperation between Fiat and the Soviet ministry was signed in May 1966.

August 1966: General Agreement Signed

A general agreement between Fiat and the Soviet Union was signed in August 1966.

1970: AvtoVAZ Forms Design and Engineering Team

By the spring of 1970, AvtoVAZ had established its own team of designers and engineers.

1970: AvtoVAZ introduces first official logo

In 1970, AvtoVAZ introduced its first official logo, a shield-like badge featuring a stylized Viking boat.

1970: VAZ-2101 Production Begins

Production of the VAZ-2101, a more rugged version of the Fiat 124, began in 1970.

1973: Lada becomes the export brand

In 1973, the Lada brand emerged as the name for vehicles exported to foreign markets due to difficulties pronouncing "Zhiguli".

1973: Lada Brand Appears

The Lada brand was introduced in 1973, initially for overseas markets.

1977: VAZ-2121 Niva Launch

The VAZ-2121 Niva, the first car entirely designed by AvtoVAZ, was launched in 1977.

1993: Original Deadline for 110-Series

The original deadline for the 110-series sedan was 1993.

1995: 110-Series and Five-Door Niva Introduced

The Lada 110-series sedan and a five-door version of the Niva (VAZ-2131) were introduced in 1995.

1997: Lada Withdraws from Western European Markets

Lada withdrew from most Western European markets in 1997 due to emission and safety regulations.

1998: 2111 Station Wagon Launch

The 2111 station wagon was launched in 1998.

1998: VAZ-2120 Nadezhda Introduced

The VAZ-2120 Nadezhda minivan, based on the Lada Niva, was introduced in 1998.

1999: Quality Control Issues

In 1999, nearly 50,000 Lada cars were assembled with missing parts.

2001: 2112 Hatchback Completes Range

The 2112 hatchback completed the 110-series range in 2001.

2002: AvtoVAZ updates logo

AvtoVAZ updated its logo in 2002, maintaining the boat but changing to a horizontal ellipse-like layout.

2004: AvtoVAZ unifies products under Lada brand

In 2004, AvtoVAZ officially consolidated all its products under the Lada brand for the Russian market, using the Latin script for the brand and model names in marketing and documentation.

2005: Lada Kalina Introduction

The Lada Kalina B-segment lineup was introduced to the market in 2005.

March 2007: Lada Priora Launch

The Lada Priora, a restyled and modernized 110-series model, was launched in March 2007.

March 2008: Renault Purchases Minority Stake in AvtoVAZ

Renault purchased a 25% stake in AvtoVAZ in March 2008.

2008: Renault Acquires Minority Stake in AvtoVAZ

Renault acquired a minority stake in AvtoVAZ in 2008, beginning technical assistance.

December 2011: Lada Granta Sales Begin

Sales of the Lada Granta, developed in collaboration with Renault, began in December 2011.

July 2012: Lada Largus Launch

The Lada Largus, another vehicle with Renault technology, was launched in July 2012.

August 2012: Lada XRAY Concept and Second Generation Kalina Unveiled

The Lada XRAY concept car and the second generation of the Lada Kalina were revealed at the 2012 Moscow International Motor Show.

September 2015: Lada Vesta Production Begins

Production of the Lada Vesta began on September 25, 2015, at the Lada Izhevsk manufacturing site.

2015: AvtoVAZ updates logo

The Lada logo was updated again in 2015, retaining the horizontal ellipse and boat design.

February 2016: Lada XRAY Sales Begin

Sales of the Lada XRAY, the company's first compact city crossover, began in February 2016.

2016: Renault Takes Control of Lada

In 2016, Renault became the parent company of AvtoVAZ and took control of the Lada brand.

January 2021: Lada-Dacia Business Unit Formation

In January 2021, Renault integrated Lada and Dacia into a new business unit.

January 2021: Lada and Dacia Integration Announced

Renault announced the integration of Lada and Dacia into a single business unit in January 2021.

May 2022: Renault Sells Controlling Stake in AvtoVAZ

In May 2022, Renault sold its controlling stake in AvtoVAZ to NAMI due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

May 2022: Renault Divests from AvtoVAZ

In May 2022, Renault sold its stake in AvtoVAZ to NAMI for a symbolic rouble due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and subsequent sanctions.

2022: Lada removes airbags and ABS due to sanctions

In 2022, due to international sanctions imposed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lada began producing vehicles without airbags or anti-lock braking systems (ABS), similar to some car models in Latin America where these safety features are not mandatory.