AwtoWAS / Lada

AvtoVAZ (Russian АвтоВАЗ, English transcription AvtoVAZ; initially written out in full in Russian Волжский автомобильный завод, Wolschskij awtomobilnyj sawod, "Volga Automobile Plant") is the largest manufacturer of passenger cars in Russia.

AvtoVAS vehicles are sold under the brand name Lada (Russian Лада, Lada). For a long time, this name was only used for export abroad. In the CMEA area, the name Shiguli (Russian Жигули, in the GDR Shiguli, (named after the "Shiguli Mountains" on the Volga)) was initially used for the saloons and estate cars, later the vehicles were called "Lada" in the GDR, the off-road vehicle was given the brand name Niwa.

The main plant is located in Tolyatti in the Samara oblast on the middle reaches of the Volga. Ladas are manufactured under licence in the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Ecuador and Uruguay.