Zaz history

The first prototype, the MZMA 444, appeared in October 1957.

The new car was approved for production 28 November 1958, the name changing to ZAZ (Zaporizhzhia Automobile Building Plant) to reflect the new profile.

In 1961, ZAZ designers began to develop the ZAZ-966 car with a new body.

Many motorists were not satisfied with the insufficient engine power, and therefore - the weak dynamics of the "Zaporozhets". Therefore, in October 1962 the production of the modernized ZAZ-965A began.

Since 1969, on the basis of the model 966 began to produce ZAZ-968 with a new engine and some minor changes.

The first conceptual variant that left the plant on its own was the front-wheel drive ZAZ-1102 "Tavria" of the 1970 model, developed by a group of Kommunar specialists under the leadership of chief designer Steshenko.

In 1986 ZAZ together with Comau installed a new production complex.

But the introduction of local Ukrainian components has negatively affected the overall quality of the models, especially after 1992.

When the 130th anniversary of the plant was celebrated in September 1993, the festive motorcade was opened by one of the first "Zaporozhians", decorated with a banner with the number 332 106.

Since 1994, a new circuit for switching on the electric fan has been introduced and the design of the half-axles has been changed.

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 investments and established the production of its own models, while keeping and modernizing the native ZAZ brand.

In 1999, its serial production began.

The plant has created and is constantly improving a qualitatively new modern high-tech production that meets the requirements of the international standard ISO 9001 version 2000.

In 2002, UkrAvto Corporation became the owner of the state block of shares of Zaporizhzhya Automobile Plant (more than 82% of shares of OJSC AvtoZAZ, which in turn owns 50% of shares of CJSC ZAZ) and received the right to manage the enterprise and, in particular, its production programs.

Daewoo's stake (50%) in the joint venture was bought by the Swiss company Hirsch & CIE in 2003.

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 2005, full-scale production of the Daewoo Lanos began at the Zaporizhia Automobile Plant.

In 2006, the production of I-VAN buses was started on the basis of the platform of the well-known Indian company TATA.

In May 2009, ZAZ won the international tender for the production of vehicles for veterans and disabled people of Azerbaijan.

September 10, 2010 - ZAZ Lanos Electro van and ZAZ-A10C31 and ZAZ-A10L50 buses were presented at the 2010 Auto Show in Kyiv.

In 2011, production of a new model - ZAZ Forza - began.