What is a Lada car?
2 Answers
Lada is a Russian car brand, which is the largest automobile manufacturer in Russia. This brand belongs to the Volga group. Here is some relevant information about Lada cars: Lada cars are not commonly seen in China. In fact, Lada has many SUV models and some off-road vehicles. The Russian automobile manufacturing industry is not very developed, so there are relatively few Russian car brands. The status of Lada in Russia is equivalent to that of Hongqi in China. The most successful model of Lada is the VAZ-2101, which is based on the Fiat 124 four-door sedan. In the 1980s and 1990s, Lada was exported all over the world, with more than 60% of its production being exported abroad.
Lada is a long-standing Russian car brand that I often saw during my childhood in the Soviet era, and it feels particularly nostalgic to me. It originated in the 1960s, initially manufactured under license from Italy's Fiat, with classics like the Lada Riva being a variant of the Fiat 124. The design back then was simple, featuring a rugged and durable body capable of handling harsh weather conditions, and it performed decently even on rural roads. However, looking back now, those older models did have some issues, such as loud engine noise, basic interiors, and a tendency to rust. Today, Lada is operated by AvtoVAZ and has updated its lineup with models like the Granta and Vesta, offering affordable options that remain popular in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. For me, Lada represents a story of its era—from being a scarce resource during the Cold War to today's budget-friendly choice. Driving these cars always evokes memories of past travels, even if breakdowns occasionally occurred.
