AvtoVAZ OAO

Togliatti, Samara Russia

  (Russian: AVAZ)

Company Description

AvtoVAZ is a Russian maker of passenger cars. The company features models such as the LADA-ELFI (a miniature city car), the VAZ-1111E (a four-seat electric car), the VAZ-2115 (sedan), and the Niva 2131 (an all-wheel drive SUV). As the largest passenger carmaker in Russia and Eastern Europe, AvtoVAZ controls around 70% of domestic car production. AvtoVAZ produces about 800,000 Lada cars a year. The company has a $330 million joint venture with General Motors -- GM-AvtoVAZ -- to manufacture the Chevy-Niva SUV and Chevy Viva cars (more than 55,000 were produced in 2007). AvtoVAZ and GM each hold a 41.5% share in the venture, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development owns the remaining 17%.