Moskvitch

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For other uses see: Moskvitch (disambiguation)
OAO Moskvitch
Type Joint-stock
Industry Automotive
Fate Bankrupt since 2002
Dissolved in 2006
Predecessor(s) AZLK
Successor(s) None. Partial recuperation of former production factories by Avtoframos (Russian subsidiary of Renault) since 2008
Founded 1930
Headquarters Moscow, Russia
Products cars
Website Official OAO "Moskvich" Website

Moskvitch (Russian: Москвич) (sometimes also written as Moskvich, Moskvič or Moskwitsch) was an automobile brand from Russia produced by AZLK from 1945 to 1991 and by OAO Moskvitch from 1991 to 2002. The current article incorporates information about both the brand and the joint-stock successor of AZLK for the sake of simplicity.

OAO Moskvitch was a privatized venture name given to the former factory in order to avoid legal issues after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since the factory had no assembly branches outside Russia after 1991, its name is largely used today to refer to the building located in Lower Eastern part of Moscow and abandoned since 2006.

The word moskvitch (Russian: москвич) itself translates as "(a) Muscovite" into English. It was used to point out the original location of the cars manufactured outside of Moscow.

Early history

In 1929 the construction of Moscow Automotive Plant began with initial production of 24,000 vehicles. In 1941 the plant was evacuated to Ural and the entire production converted for the manufacture of the military equipment at the dawn of World War II. After the war, the USSR acquired an entire Opel manufacturing line from Brandenburg in Germany.[1] A factory called MZMA (Moskovsky Zavod Malolitrazhnykh Avtomobiley, that is, Moscow Compact Car Factory) started in 1947 to manufacture an automobile called Moskvitch 400 based on the Opel Kadett. Further models were developed by Soviet engineers. In 1969, the factory changed name to AZLK (Avtomobilny Zavod imeni Leninskogo Komsomola, which means Car Factory in the name of the Leninist Communist Youth Union).

The Moskvitch failed to get type approval in the UK.

Moskvitch cars were never meant to be a fashion statement[citation needed]. They were sturdy, reliable on substandard roads and were offered at an affordable price. The 1960s and early 1970s were the glory days, when the cars were exported to many countries throughout the world. Demand always exceeded production, so people had to wait a long time for a new car. Until the 1980s all Moskvitch cars were compact rear-wheel drive saloons and estates with solid rear axles suspended by leaf springs.

The Moskvitch was also produced in Bulgaria (see Moskvitch (Bulgaria)) between 1966 and 1990 on the basis of complete knock down (CKD) kits. Models 408, 408I, 412, 21412 "Aleko" total of 304,297 cars

Introduction of the Aleko

1986 saw the unveiling of a radically new (by Soviet standards) model, known as the Aleko-2141. It was powered by the 1.5L UZAM used in 412 model and VAZ-2106 1.6L in-line four-cylinder engines, which had by then amassed an acceptable track record powering a number of LADA models. Aleko was a front-wheel drive hatchback different from any model the factory had made previously. It was larger and more luxurious, made with comfort, safety and aerodynamics in mind. The body was built on the basis of Simca 1307, while longitudinal engine placement and torsion-crank rear suspension and McPherson strut front suspension was inspired by Audi 80/100 family, while taking into account the larger size of the Moskvitch and Lada engines . The 1.8 liter gasoline engine for the new car was planned, but never materialized, as was also the case with a diesel version. The car was a major improvement over previous generations, but the fall of the centralised economy, below-par quality and inadequate management ultimately brought the factory to bankruptcy[citation needed].

The factory, which had been renamed to OAO Moskvitch (Moskvitch Joint Stock Company) in the early 1990s, filed for bankruptcy in 2002 and ceased production. The factory remains idle and abandoned, everything left as it was in 2002. Unfinished bodyshells remain on the production line in various stages of completion, while furniture, computers, office supplies, and documents remain in the plant's administration building. Several attempts to restart production have been made over the next 3 years, but none were successful.

Recently, a portion of the abandoned plant was acquired by OAO Avtoframos, a 38%-62% joint venture between the City of Moscow and French automaker Renault SA. In 2005, Avtoframos commenced assembly of Renault Logan sedans from imported complete knock-down kits (CKDs). The presence of Avtoframos brought new life to a small part of the facility, but the majority of the sprawling plant remains abandoned, apparently still owned by the dormant Moskvitch company.

The bankruptcy of OAO Moskvitch was officially announced in 2006 and the company was liquidated the following year.

Since 2009 owner of brand Moskvitch is German automotive company Volkswagen. In 2011 Volkswagen extended its brand ownership rights until 2021.

Generations

First (1945—1956)

Moskvitch-400, nearly a copy of the Kadett K38

Second (1956—1965)

  • Moskvitch-407 with late-version eggcrate grille

  • Moskvitch-423, the first Soviet non-woodie station wagon (with pre-1958 grille bar)


Third (1965—1986)

  • Moskvitch-408

  • Moskvitch-412 from the late 1960s and early 1970s

  • Moskvitch-2138/40

  • Moskvitch 408 OHV 50 PS (37 kW; 49 hp), modified 1360 cc 407-engine (1964-1975)
  • Moskvitch 408-Tourist (convertible prototype, based on 408) (1964)
  • Moskvitch 433 (panel van version of 408) (1966-1975)
  • Moskvitch 412 (1967-1975) (latterly known as a Moskvitch 1500 for the Western export market)
  • Moskvitch 426 (station wagon version of 408) (1967-1975)
  • Moskvitch 427 (station wagon version of 412) (1967-1975)
  • Moskvitch 434 (panel van version of 412) (1967-1975)
  • Moskvitch 1360 (1970)
  • Moskvitch 1500 (1970)
  • Moskvitch 2140 (1976-1986) (carried on the scheme of using the Moskvitch 1500 name for Western exports)
  • Moskvitch 2136 (similar to 2137, but with 408 engine) (1976)
  • Moskvitch 2137 (station wagon version of 2140) (1976-1986)
  • Moskvitch 2734 (panel van version of 2140) (1976-1981)
  • Moskvitch 2138 (similar to 2140, but with 408 engine) (1976-1982)
  • Moskvitch 2140SL (1981-1986, also known as 1500SL) (improved 2140, Super Lux was made for foreign markets)
  • Moskvitch 2733 (panel van version of 2136)
  • "Bolivar" (tow truck prototype, based on 2140)

Fourth (1986-2003)

  • Moskvitch-21412 with 1.5 L engine.

  • Moskvitch-2142 with sedan body (prototype).

  • Moskvitch-2142 serial.

Sport and racing cars

Gallery

  • Moskvitch 1500 (export model) (rear view)

  • Moskvitch 2140

  • Moskvitch 400

  • Moskvitch 400

  • Moskvitch 4-Door Sedan

  • Moskvitch 403

  • 1972 Moskvitch 427 estate (this year of this export model sold as a Moskvitch 1500)

  • Moskvitch 1500 (export model)

  • M-21412 alias M-2141S

  • M-21412 alias M-2141S

See also

References

  1. ↑ German Historical Museum
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External links

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