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GAZ

Coordinates:56°14′47.20″N43°53′23.58″E/ 56.2464444°N 43.8898833°E/56.2464444; 43.8898833
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, seeGaz (disambiguation).

Gorky Automobile Plant
(trading asGAZ)
Native name
Го́рьковский автомоби́льный заво́д
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
Defense industry
Founded1932;92 years ago(1932)Nizhny Novgorod
(namedGorky1932–1990)
Headquarters
Nizhny Novgorod,NIZ
,
Russia
Key people
Vadim Sorokin (president & CEO of GAZ Group), Siegfried Wolf (chairman of the board, OJSC GAZ, Russian Machines), Manfred Eibeck (chief executive officer, Russian Machines)[1]
ProductsAutomobiles, automotive parts
Revenue$1.46 billion[2](2017)
$116 million[2](2017)
$1.58 million[2](2017)
Total assets$1.02 billion[2](2017)
Total equity$43.2 million[2](2017)
OwnerOleg Deripaska
ParentGAZ Group
WebsiteGaz website
Horizontal flags featuring the GAZelle logo near a GAZelle car shop inAstana

GAZorGorkovsky avtomobilny zavod(Russian:ГАЗ or Го́рьковский автомоби́льный заво́д,lit. 'Gorky Automobile Plant') is a Russian automotive manufacturer located inNizhny Novgorod,formerly known as Gorky (Горький) (1932–1990). It is the core subsidiary ofGAZ GroupHolding, which is itself part ofBasic Elementindustrial group.JSC Russian Machinesis the controlling shareholder in OAO GAZ.

History[edit]

Early history[edit]

See also:Bombing of Gorky in World War II

In May 1929 theSoviet Unionsigned an agreement with the AmericanFord Motor Company.[3]Under its terms, the Soviets agreed to purchase $13 million worth of automobiles and parts, while Ford agreed to give technical assistance until 1938 to construct an integrated automobile-manufacturing plant atNizhny Novgorod.The factory was founded and production started on 1 January 1932. At the time the factory was known asNizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant,shortNAZ(Nizhegorodskiy avtomobilny zavod), full nameNizhny Novgorod Automobile Plant named after V. M. Molotov(Nizhegorodskiy avtomobilny zavod imeni V. M. Molotova), after the Soviet ministerVyacheslav Molotov.[4]In 1932 the plant produced its first automobiles,GAZ-AA(originally known as NAZ-AA, as they were manufactured before Nizhny Novgorod became Gorky) truck andGAZ-Apassenger car (manufactured after Nizhny Novgorod became Gorky). The cars were based on theFord Model AAandFord Model A,respectively.

In 1933, the factory's name changed toGorkovsky avtomobilny zavod,or GAZ, when the city was renamed afterMaxim Gorky.

TheGAZ-Awas succeeded by the more modernGAZ-M1(based largely on the four-cylinder version of theFord Model B), produced from 1936 to 1942. The M letter stands forMolotovets('of Molotov's fame'), it was the origin of the car's nickname,M'ka(эмка).[3]

During the war, GAZ assembledChevrolet G7107and G7117 (G7107 with winch) from parts shipped from the US underLend Lease.

  • GAZ logo
    GAZ logo
  • Ford Logo
    Ford Logo

Postwar period[edit]

GAZ-14,produced 1977–1988

At that time, GAZ engineers worked to develop an all-new car model to enter production once hostilities ended. Called theGAZ-M20 Pobeda(Victory), this affordably-priced sedan with streamlined, fastback styling, entered production in 1946 and was produced by GAZ until 1958. (Licensed production under the nameWarszawacontinued inPolishFSOuntil the 1970s). It was the first Soviet car with electricwindshield wipers(rather than mechanical- or vacuum-operated ones).[5]

GAZ also madeGAZ-12 ZIM,GAZ-21andGAZ-24Volgaand the luxury cars GAZ-13 and GAZ-14Chaika.The ZIM was the first GAZ car to feature the leaping deerhood ornament.[6]The GAZ-21 made its public debut in 1955, with a three cars on a demonstration drive from Moscow to the Crimea, two automatic models and a manual.[7]It was launched in 1956 and became a symbol of the whole Soviet epoch. The car offered front seats able to fold flat[7]and came standard with cigarette lighter and a radio[8]at a time when most American-built cars did not have a radio.[9]A small number of Volgas with the 195hp(145kW;198PS) Chaika engine,automatic transmission,andpower steeringwere built for theKGBas theM23,603 were built in 1962–1970.[10]As the car's leading engineer Boris Dekhtyar recalled, the new version of the Volga had improved brake pads and reached a higher top speed of over 170 km/h; it was well received.[11]The new engine produced 195 h.p. at 4,400 rpm.[12]

In the 1960s GAZ plant renewed its truck range by launching such models as GAZ-52,GAZ-53А andGAZ-66.In the 1960s and 1970s, the plant was overhauled and updated; 1962 saw it fitted with the Soviet Union's first automated precision shop.[13]In 1994 the plant started production ofGAZellelight commercial vehicles.

The plant becameAvtoGAZ,with the integration of its varioussubcontractors,on 24 August 1971; the same year, it was awarded theOrder of Lenin.[14]GAZ produced its ten millionth vehicle in March 1981.[15]In the late 1990s GAZ was deemed to be the best managed Russian automotive manufacturer.[16]

SibAl takeover[edit]

GAZ Volga Siber,introduced in 2008

In November 2000 GAZ was acquired in a hostile takeover bySibAl.[17]In March 2003 GAZ declared that the production of passenger cars was no longer a priority for the company, and plans to release a new GAZ-3115 model had been abandoned.[18]

In 2006, GAZ made a move on theLDVcompany based inBirmingham,England, and acquired the van maker from the venture capital group Sun European Partners, LLP in July of that year. GAZ said that they planned to market the MAXUS (LDV's new Panel-van that was released in January 2005) into the rest of Europe and Asia. GAZ proposed to increase production in the LDV plant in England, while also commencing production of the MAXUS in a new plant in Russia. However, due to the recession, the production at the LDV plant was halted and the plant was sold to a Chinese company called ECO Concept in 2009.[19]

As thenDaimlerChryslermodernized itsSterling Heights Assemblyplant in 2006, the oldChrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratusassembly line and tooling was sold to GAZ and was shipped toNizhny NovgorodinRussia.[20]Since then GAZ car facility is used for contract manufacturing forVolkswagenandGeneral Motors.

Andersson leadership[edit]

GAZon Next flatbed truck, produced since 2014

In 2009,Bo Andersson,former Vice-President ofGeneral Motors,was invited to become a President/CEO of GAZ Group.[21]

In 2010, GAZ upgraded its model range by launching new GAZelle-BUSINESS lineup with diesel and petrol engines and LPG equipment.[22]

In November 2010 the company decided to end production of theVolga Siber,its last GAZ passenger car model, and to discontinue theGAZ Volgarange.[23]In December 2010, GAZ Group signed a memorandum of understanding withDaimleron contract manufacturing ofMercedes-Benz Sprinterat GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod. It is expected that production will start in 2013.[24]

In February 2011,General Motorsand GAZ Group signed an agreement on contract assembly of the newChevrolet Aveocar at GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod.[25]As of December 2012, production was underway with an expected annual production of 30,000 vehicles.[26]

In June 2011,Volkswagen Group Rusand GAZ Group signed a long-term agreement on contract manufacturing at GAZ plant with total investment of €200 million. It is planned to produceŠkoda Yeti,the newVolkswagen JettaandŠkoda Octavia.The total production volume in the peak years will be about 110,000 vehicles. In November 2011, under the contract manufacturing agreement, GAZ started SKD assembly of Škoda Yeti; full-cycle production started in December 2012.[27]

Recent developments[edit]

In April 2019, GAZ asked for a $468 millionbailoutfrom the Russian government, saying that US sanctions onOleg Deripaskaand his assets put the company at risk of default.[28]On July 4, 2019, workers from GAZ protested against the US sanctions in front of the US embassy in Moscow as an opposition to measures they claim will lead to the bankruptcy of the company.[29][30]

In November 2021, "GAZ Group" announced that its division, "Silovye Agregaty", would be ready for mass production of hydrogen engines in 2.5 years.[31]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Top Management".Gazglobal. Archived fromthe originalon 21 June 2017.Retrieved8 July2017.
  2. ^abcde"Бухгалтерская отчётность".Retrieved1 November2018.
  3. ^abOdin, L.C.World in Motion 1939 - The whole of the year's automobile production.Belvedere Publishing, 2015. ASIN: B00ZLN91ZG.
  4. ^Zur Geschichte der Zusammenarbeit zwischen Ford und Russland bzw. der Sowjetunion der Jahre 1909 bis 1935(russian)
  5. ^Thompson, p. 52
  6. ^Thompson, p. 68
  7. ^abThompson, p. 61
  8. ^Thompson, p. 62
  9. ^Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), passim.
  10. ^Thompson, pp. 120–121
  11. ^Б. А. Дехтяр. "Хвостовые" автомобили ГАЗ. // Биржа плюс Авто. №36. 13.09.2001. С. 38Archived23 December 2016 at theWayback Machine
  12. ^Легковой автомобиль ГАЗ-23. Инструкция по уходу. Издание второе. Горький. 1967. С. 114Archived3 January 2014 at theWayback Machine
  13. ^Thompson, p. 120
  14. ^Thompson, Andy.Cars of the Soviet Union(Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p. 120.
  15. ^Thompson, p. 242
  16. ^"Mir on earth".The Economist.21 August 1997.Archivedfrom the original on 21 June 2017.Retrieved7 July2017.
  17. ^Ireland, R. Duane; Hoskisson, Robert; Hitt, Michael (2005).Understanding Business Strategy: Concepts and Cases.Cengage Learning. pp. 143–145.ISBN032428246X.Retrieved6 July2017.
  18. ^Емельянова, Екатерина; Идиатуллин, Шамиль; Трифонов, Владислав (13 May 2003)."Время менять автомобиль".Газета "Коммерсантъ".p. 20.Archivedfrom the original on 30 July 2013.Retrieved8 July2017.
  19. ^Ruddick, Graham (15 October 2009)."LDV Vans bought by China's Qu Li".London: The Telegraph, 15 October 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 27 February 2010.
  20. ^"US: GAZ to buy Sebring/Stratus assembly line from Chrysler".Just-Auto, 18 April 2006.Archivedfrom the original on 27 September 2011.
  21. ^"For former GM exec Bo Andersson, next job will be a GAZ".16 June 2009.
  22. ^"GAZ Group has started serial production of upgraded GAZelle-Business"(Press release). GAZ Group. 25 February 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 25 September 2011.
  23. ^"Q&A: Bo Andersson Joined GAZ to Flee Detroit Stardom".Retrieved8 July2017.
  24. ^"Russia: Daimler, GAZ sign Sprinter assembly MoU".Automotive World, 24 December 2010. 24 December 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 16 March 2012.
  25. ^"GM to assemble Chevrolets at Russia's GAZ plant".Reuters, 1 February 2011. 1 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 24 September 2015.
  26. ^Andrew E. Kramer (25 December 2012)."Russia's Desire for Cars Grows, and Foreign Makers Take Notice".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 26 December 2012.Retrieved26 December2012.
  27. ^"Skoda Yeti Now Assembled at GAZ Full Cycle".wroom.ru. 6 December 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 5 January 2013.Retrieved31 December2012.
  28. ^Times, The Moscow (18 April 2019)."Sanctions-hit GAZ Wants Government Bail-Out – Kommersant".The Moscow Times.Retrieved5 June2019.
  29. ^Foy, Henry (4 July 2019)."Workers at Deripaska's sanctioned GAZ picket US embassy party in Moscow".Financial Times.Archived fromthe originalon 10 December 2022.Retrieved27 July2019.
  30. ^"Russian Workers Rap Against Sanctions, Protest at U.S. Envoy's Residence".The Moscow Times.5 July 2019.Retrieved27 July2019.
  31. ^"Группа ГАЗ может запустить массовое производство водородных двигателей через 2,5 года"(in Russian).ТАСС.24 November 2021.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toGAZ.
Wikimedia Commons has media related toGAZ vehicles.

56°14′47.20″N43°53′23.58″E/ 56.2464444°N 43.8898833°E/56.2464444; 43.8898833

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