ZAZ
Encyclopedia
ZAZ or Zaporizhia Automobile Building Plant is the main automobile
-manufacturer of Ukraine
, based in the south-eastern city of Zaporizhia
. It is also known for its former mother company name, AvtoZAZ
. In the first half of 2008 ZAZ manufactured 153,407 cars and commercial vehicles, a 29% increase from the same period in 2007.
The company was initially a state works Kommunar, producing combine harvester
s. In November 1958 the Soviet government decided to change profile and start production of small popular cars, changing the name to ZAZ - Zaporizhia Automobile Building Plant in order to reflect the new profile. The first car, designed in Moskvitch
factory, was ZAZ-965 Zaporozhets and entered production in 1960. From 1975 to 2002, the factory was a part of AvtoZAZ
holding, which was transformed into joint-stock company in 1990s.
The models named "Zaporozhets" were powered by an air-cooled rear mounted V4 engine
made by MeMZ
(based in neighboring Melitopol'). The body of earlier models 965 was similar to the Fiat 600
. The redesigned 966 and 968 looked more like a NSU Prinz
. Despite low reliability and prestige of those cars, they have shown an unbeaten accessibility and popularity among Soviets, becoming the "car for pensioners and intellectuals". They were the cheapest Soviet-made cars. Quite a big number was produced in variants for disabled people, with modified steering. 3,422,444 Zaporozhets vehicles were manufactured from 1960 to 1994.
Newer front wheel drive cars are based on model 1102 Tavria
(1989–2007) and are powered by a water cooled, front mounted MeMZ
engine and fall into micro-class.
When AvtoZAZ-Daewoo joint venture with Daewoo Motors
was formed in 1998, ZAZ was assigned to the new company as a 50% share on behalf of AvtoZAZ. Daewoo Motors made large investment
s and established the production of its own models, while keeping and modernizing the native ZAZ brand. CKD kits of Daewoo Lanos
started assembling the same year; at the same time, CKD assembly of a number of older VAZ
models started.
Following bankruptcy of Daewoo Motors in 2001, UkrAVTO corporation
bought out AvtoZAZ holding in 2002. All of the AvtoZAZ manufacturing facilities (most notably, MeMZ
and Illichivsk assembling plant) were reincorporated into ZAZ. The company even adopted a new logo. The Daewoo part in the joint venture was bought out by Swiss venture Hirsch & CIE in 2003.
Illichivsk
facility (Illichivsk Automobile Parts Plant) is currently used for CKD-kit assembly of Chevrolet Aveo
and Chevrolet Lacetti
. An adapted version of the Lanos with a MeMZ
engine, Daewoo Sens, was made since 2002. End of 2004 saw the beginning of full-scale production of completely domestic ZAZ Lanos (T150), now that CKD kits of Lanos were no longer supplied. In 2006, ZAZ reached an agreement with the Chinese manufacturer Chery Automobile
to assemble passenger cars from kits and from 2011 started full-scale production of the Chery A13
under its own badge as ZAZ Forza. The same year production of the Chevrolet Aveo
(T250) was moved from the FSO car factory to ZAZ.
's original mission.
Performed at the Zaporizhia Automobile Building Plant:
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
-manufacturer of Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, based in the south-eastern city of Zaporizhia
Zaporizhia
Zaporizhia or Zaporozhye [formerly Alexandrovsk ] is a city in southeastern Ukraine, situated on the banks of the Dnieper River. It is the administrative center of the Zaporizhia Oblast...
. It is also known for its former mother company name, AvtoZAZ
AvtoZAZ
AvtoZAZ is an automotive manufacturing company in Ukraine. It was founded in 1975 as Industrial Association, а holding that incorporated ZAZ, MeMZ, Illichivsk Automobile Parts Plant and a number of other automobile-production facilities in Lutzk and Kherson...
. In the first half of 2008 ZAZ manufactured 153,407 cars and commercial vehicles, a 29% increase from the same period in 2007.
History
Combine harvester
The combine harvester, or simply combine, is a machine that harvests grain crops. The name derives from the fact that it combines three separate operations, reaping, threshing, and winnowing, into a single process. Among the crops harvested with a combine are wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn ,...
s. In November 1958 the Soviet government decided to change profile and start production of small popular cars, changing the name to ZAZ - Zaporizhia Automobile Building Plant in order to reflect the new profile. The first car, designed in Moskvitch
Moskvitch
Moskvitch was an automobile brand from Russia produced by AZLK from 1945 to 1991 and by OAO Moskvitch from 1991 to 2002...
factory, was ZAZ-965 Zaporozhets and entered production in 1960. From 1975 to 2002, the factory was a part of AvtoZAZ
AvtoZAZ
AvtoZAZ is an automotive manufacturing company in Ukraine. It was founded in 1975 as Industrial Association, а holding that incorporated ZAZ, MeMZ, Illichivsk Automobile Parts Plant and a number of other automobile-production facilities in Lutzk and Kherson...
holding, which was transformed into joint-stock company in 1990s.
The models named "Zaporozhets" were powered by an air-cooled rear mounted V4 engine
V4 engine
A V4 engine is a V form engine with four cylinders and three main bearings.-Automobile use:Lancia produced several narrow-angle V4 engines from the 1920s through 1960s for cars like the Lambda, Augusta, Artena, Aprilia, Ardea, Appia, and Fulvia....
made by MeMZ
MeMZ
MeMZ is short for "Melitopol Engine Plant" . The factory was founded in 1908 by a Mennonite entrepreneur by the name of Zaferman. Until 1925 the factory focused mainly on diesel engines specifically for applications in agricultural machinery and fishing ships...
(based in neighboring Melitopol'). The body of earlier models 965 was similar to the Fiat 600
Fiat 600
The Fiat 600 is a city car produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1955 to 1969. Measuring only 3.22 m long, it was the first rear-engined Fiat and cost the equivalent of about € 6,700 or US$ 7300 in today's money . The total number produced from 1955 to 1969 at the Mirafiori...
. The redesigned 966 and 968 looked more like a NSU Prinz
NSU Prinz
The NSU Prinz is an automobile produced in West Germany by the NSU Motorenwerke AG. The car was built from 1957 to 1973, and received a model change in 1961 .-NSU Prinz 30:...
. Despite low reliability and prestige of those cars, they have shown an unbeaten accessibility and popularity among Soviets, becoming the "car for pensioners and intellectuals". They were the cheapest Soviet-made cars. Quite a big number was produced in variants for disabled people, with modified steering. 3,422,444 Zaporozhets vehicles were manufactured from 1960 to 1994.
Newer front wheel drive cars are based on model 1102 Tavria
ZAZ Tavria
ZAZ Tavria is a range of front wheel drive subcompact cars made by Ukrainian ZAZ. ZAZ-1102 Tavria and subsequent ZAZ-1105 Dana and ZAZ-1103 Slavuta replaced rear wheel drive Zaporozhets in the product lineup.-ZAZ-1102 Tavria:...
(1989–2007) and are powered by a water cooled, front mounted MeMZ
MeMZ
MeMZ is short for "Melitopol Engine Plant" . The factory was founded in 1908 by a Mennonite entrepreneur by the name of Zaferman. Until 1925 the factory focused mainly on diesel engines specifically for applications in agricultural machinery and fishing ships...
engine and fall into micro-class.
When AvtoZAZ-Daewoo joint venture with Daewoo Motors
GM Daewoo
GM Korea Company is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer and is a division of the General Motors Company. GM Korea's roots go back to the former Daewoo which was split from its parent company, Daewoo Group, in 2001...
was formed in 1998, ZAZ was assigned to the new company as a 50% share on behalf of AvtoZAZ. Daewoo Motors made large investment
Investment
Investment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
s and established the production of its own models, while keeping and modernizing the native ZAZ brand. CKD kits of Daewoo Lanos
Daewoo Lanos
The Daewoo Lanos is a subcompact car manufactured by the Korean automaker Daewoo Motor from 1997 to 2002. It was manufactured under license agreements from 1997 to 2008 by Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych in Poland, where it was marketed as the FSO Lanos, from 1998 to present in Ukraine by AvtoZAZ,...
started assembling the same year; at the same time, CKD assembly of a number of older VAZ
Vaz
Vaz also may refer to:*Vaz , people named Vaz*VAZ Plus, a Virtual Studio Technology and DirectX plugin that simulates a subtractive synthesizer...
models started.
Following bankruptcy of Daewoo Motors in 2001, UkrAVTO corporation
Ukrainian Automobile Corporation
Ukrainian Automobile Corporation JSC or UkrAVTO is a Ukrainian automobile manufacturing and service company, as well as Ukraine's largest automobile distributor. It was founded in 1969 as the Ukraine Motor Vehicles Maintenance Department - a reorganisation of diverse car manufacturing, parts,...
bought out AvtoZAZ holding in 2002. All of the AvtoZAZ manufacturing facilities (most notably, MeMZ
MeMZ
MeMZ is short for "Melitopol Engine Plant" . The factory was founded in 1908 by a Mennonite entrepreneur by the name of Zaferman. Until 1925 the factory focused mainly on diesel engines specifically for applications in agricultural machinery and fishing ships...
and Illichivsk assembling plant) were reincorporated into ZAZ. The company even adopted a new logo. The Daewoo part in the joint venture was bought out by Swiss venture Hirsch & CIE in 2003.
Illichivsk
Illichivsk
Illichivsk is a port city in the Odessa Oblast of south-western Ukraine. The city is designated as its own separate raion within the oblast, and is located at around .-Geography:...
facility (Illichivsk Automobile Parts Plant) is currently used for CKD-kit assembly of Chevrolet Aveo
Daewoo Kalos
The Chevrolet Aveo is the first generation of the Chevrolet Aveo, a subcompact automobile manufactured since 2002 by GM Daewoo, the South Korean subsidiary of General Motors — originally marketed as the Daewoo Kalos and prominently marketed as the Aveo...
and Chevrolet Lacetti
Daewoo Lacetti
The Daewoo Lacetti is a compact car made by the South Korean automaker GM Daewoo since 2002. The first-generation Lacetti was available as a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback or a five-door station wagon. The sedan and wagon were designed by Pininfarina, and the hatchback by Giorgetto Giugiaro...
. An adapted version of the Lanos with a MeMZ
MeMZ
MeMZ is short for "Melitopol Engine Plant" . The factory was founded in 1908 by a Mennonite entrepreneur by the name of Zaferman. Until 1925 the factory focused mainly on diesel engines specifically for applications in agricultural machinery and fishing ships...
engine, Daewoo Sens, was made since 2002. End of 2004 saw the beginning of full-scale production of completely domestic ZAZ Lanos (T150), now that CKD kits of Lanos were no longer supplied. In 2006, ZAZ reached an agreement with the Chinese manufacturer Chery Automobile
Chery Automobile
Chery Automobile Co Ltd is a state-owned automobile manufacturer in the People's Republic of China.Chery became the 7th most-productive Chinese vehicle manufacturer in 2010, selling nearly 700,000 units.-History:...
to assemble passenger cars from kits and from 2011 started full-scale production of the Chery A13
Chery A13
The Chery A13, also known as Fulwin 2, is a subcompact car manufactured by the Chinese automaker Chery Automobile. It is the successor of the Cowin in the Chery lineup. The car was presented for the first time at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. In Ukraine it is manufactured by the local company AvtoZAZ...
under its own badge as ZAZ Forza. The same year production of the Chevrolet Aveo
Chevrolet Aveo
The Chevrolet Aveo is a subcompact automobile manufactured since 2002, originally by the South Korean General Motors subsidiary, GM Daewoo—and later by other GM-affiliated entities...
(T250) was moved from the FSO car factory to ZAZ.
ZAZ and its reputation
ZAZ's products were never held in high esteem by Soviet citizens. In fact, ZAZ's original mission was to create a "people's car", almost like VolkswagenVolkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
's original mission.
Full-scale production
- ZAZ-965 Zaporozhets (1960–1969)
- ZAZ-966 Zaporozhets (1967–1972)
- ZAZ-968 Zaporozhets (1972–1994)
- ZAZ-1102 TavriaZAZ TavriaZAZ Tavria is a range of front wheel drive subcompact cars made by Ukrainian ZAZ. ZAZ-1102 Tavria and subsequent ZAZ-1105 Dana and ZAZ-1103 Slavuta replaced rear wheel drive Zaporozhets in the product lineup.-ZAZ-1102 Tavria:...
(1989–1997) - ZAZ-1102 Tavria NovaZAZ TavriaZAZ Tavria is a range of front wheel drive subcompact cars made by Ukrainian ZAZ. ZAZ-1102 Tavria and subsequent ZAZ-1105 Dana and ZAZ-1103 Slavuta replaced rear wheel drive Zaporozhets in the product lineup.-ZAZ-1102 Tavria:...
(1998–2007) - ZAZ-1105 DanaZAZ TavriaZAZ Tavria is a range of front wheel drive subcompact cars made by Ukrainian ZAZ. ZAZ-1102 Tavria and subsequent ZAZ-1105 Dana and ZAZ-1103 Slavuta replaced rear wheel drive Zaporozhets in the product lineup.-ZAZ-1102 Tavria:...
(1994–1997) - ZAZ-11055 Pick-upZAZ TavriaZAZ Tavria is a range of front wheel drive subcompact cars made by Ukrainian ZAZ. ZAZ-1102 Tavria and subsequent ZAZ-1105 Dana and ZAZ-1103 Slavuta replaced rear wheel drive Zaporozhets in the product lineup.-ZAZ-1102 Tavria:...
(1998–2011) - ZAZ-1103 SlavutaZAZ TavriaZAZ Tavria is a range of front wheel drive subcompact cars made by Ukrainian ZAZ. ZAZ-1102 Tavria and subsequent ZAZ-1105 Dana and ZAZ-1103 Slavuta replaced rear wheel drive Zaporozhets in the product lineup.-ZAZ-1102 Tavria:...
(1998–2011) - ZAZ Lanos (2005–present) (model T150)
- ZAZ Sens (2005–present)
- ZAZ Lanos Pick-up (2005–present)
- ZAZ ForzaChery A13The Chery A13, also known as Fulwin 2, is a subcompact car manufactured by the Chinese automaker Chery Automobile. It is the successor of the Cowin in the Chery lineup. The car was presented for the first time at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. In Ukraine it is manufactured by the local company AvtoZAZ...
(2010–present) - Chevrolet Aveo (2011–present) (model T250)
Complete knock down assembly
Performed at the Illichivsk Automobile Parts Plant:- Chevrolet Aveo (2004–unknown) (model T200)
- Chevrolet Aveo (2006–2010) (model T250)
- Chevrolet CaptivaChevrolet Captiva- 2006–2011 :Designated C100 by Daewoo and CG in Holden's terminology, the Captiva was launched in 2006. Styling of the Captiva was inspired by the 2004 Chevrolet S3X concept car. The S3X concept was developed by GM Daewoo's design center in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon and is based on the GM Theta...
(unknown years) - Chevrolet Epica (unknown years)
- Chevrolet Evanda (2005–unknown)
- Chevrolet Lacetti (2003–unknown) (model J200)
- Daewoo TacumaDaewoo TacumaThe Daewoo Tacuma or Rezzo is a Compact MPV produced by South Korean GM Daewoo since 2000. Developed under the U100 code name, it was designed by Pininfarina and is based on the original Daewoo Nubira J100, a compact car....
(unknown years) - Chery Eastar (unknown years)
- Chrysler 300CChrysler 300CThe Chrysler Corporation has used the designation Chrysler 300C to refer to two different vehicles, which are described in separate articles.* The 1957 Chrysler 300C, that year's version of the Chrysler 300 "letter series"; a large, high-performance luxury coupe sold in very limited numbers.* The...
(2009–unknown) - Daewoo LanosDaewoo LanosThe Daewoo Lanos is a subcompact car manufactured by the Korean automaker Daewoo Motor from 1997 to 2002. It was manufactured under license agreements from 1997 to 2008 by Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych in Poland, where it was marketed as the FSO Lanos, from 1998 to present in Ukraine by AvtoZAZ,...
(1998–unknown) (model T100) - Daewoo Sens (2002–unknown)
- Kia CeratoKia CeratoThe Kia Cerato is a compact car produced by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors since 2003. In 2008, the Cerato was replaced by the Kia Forte, however, the "Cerato" name continued on in some markets.- First generation :...
(unknown years) - Kia Magentis (unknown years)
- Kia MohaveKia MohaveThe Kia Mohave, marketed in North America as the Kia Borrego, is a luxury sport-utility vehicle manufactured by the South Korean-based Kia Motors. The vehicle debuted in 2008 in the Korean and US markets...
(unknown years) - Kia PicantoKia PicantoThe Kia Picanto, known as the Kia Morning in South Korea and Chile, Kia EuroStar in Taiwan, Kia New Morning in Vietnam and the Naza Suria or Naza Picanto in Malaysia, is a low cost city car produced by Kia Motors....
(unknown years) - Kia RioKia RioThe Kia Rio is a series of subcompact automobiles produced by Kia Motors since August 2000. Two generations have been produced, both in five-door hatchback and four-door sedan body styles, all equipped with inline-four gasoline and diesel engines, and front-wheel drive...
(unknown years) - Kia SorentoKia SorentoThe Kia Sorento is a mid-size crossover SUV produced since 2002 by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors.- First generation :...
(unknown years)
Performed at the Zaporizhia Automobile Building Plant:
- Chery Amulet (unknown years)
- Kia cee'dKia cee'dThe Kia Cee'd is a front wheel drive small family car released in the European market by the Korean manufacturer Kia Motors in December 2006—superseding the Kia Spectra—and available as a five-door hatchback, three-door hatchback , and five-door estate with a choice of up to four...
(2009–2010) - Kia SportageKia SportageThe Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV built by the Korean automaker Kia Motors since July 1993.- First generation :...
(2009–present) - Lada 21093Lada SamaraThe Lada Samara or VAZ-2108 is an economy car produced by Soviet/Russian vehicle manufacturer AvtoVAZ's Lada brand, from 1984 until 2004. The brand name Samara originally was used only for exported models, in Russia the same model was called "Sputnik" , until 1991, when the sedan version of Samara...
(2005–present) - Lada 21099Lada SamaraThe Lada Samara or VAZ-2108 is an economy car produced by Soviet/Russian vehicle manufacturer AvtoVAZ's Lada brand, from 1984 until 2004. The brand name Samara originally was used only for exported models, in Russia the same model was called "Sputnik" , until 1991, when the sedan version of Samara...
(2005–present) - Opel AstraOpel AstraThe Opel Astra is a small family car engineered and manufactured by the German automaker Opel since 1991.It is branded as Vauxhall Astra in the United Kingdom, the Buick Excelle XT in China and the Chevrolet Astra/Vectra in Latin America...
(2003–unknown) - Opel VectraOpel VectraThe Opel Vectra is a large family car that was engineered and produced by Opel. In the United Kingdom, the car was sold under the Vauxhall marque as the Vauxhall Cavalier and later as the Vauxhall Vectra, from 1995 onwards...
(2003–unknown) - Opel CorsaOpel CorsaThe front-wheel drive Opel Corsa was first launched in September 1982 to replace the Opel Kadett C City, and to fill the gap vacated as the Kadett grew in size and price. Built in Zaragoza, Spain, the first Corsas were three-door hatchback and two-door saloon models, with four-door and five-door...
(2003–unknown) - Opel ComboOpel ComboThe second generation was launched in 2001. While most competitors severed their connections with their subcompact brethren, Opel decided to base the vehicle on the Corsa again. The use of subcompact Gamma platform constrained the overall width of the vehicle. While the general body shape was...
(2003–unknown) - Mercedes-Benz E-ClassMercedes-Benz E-ClassThe Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive-size cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations. The E initially stood for Einspritzmotor, ; a new feature in volume production vehicles at the time that the E-Class first appeared, with the E as a suffix to the...
(2002–2006) - Mercedes-Benz C-ClassMercedes-Benz C-ClassThe Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car produced by the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler AG. First introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range , the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's lineup until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class...
(2002–2006)
External links
- ZAZ - official website (Russian, Ukrainian and English)
- UkrAVTO - official website (Ukrainian, Russian and English)
- Unofficial page in a guide (English)
- ZAZ - car club in Uzbekistan (Russian)