GAZ
Russian automaker known for Volga cars and military vehicles.
It has produced passenger cars, trucks, buses, military vehicles, armored vehicles, and light commercial vehicles.
- field
- Automobile manufacturing
- nationality
- Russian (Soviet Union)
- known_for
- Producing the GAZ-M20 Pobeda, GAZ-21 Volga, GAZelle light commercial vehicles, and military vehicles such as the BTR-40
- headquarters
- Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Lore & Background
In May 1929 the Soviet Union signed an agreement with the American Ford Motor Company, under which Ford provided technical assistance to construct an integrated automobile-manufacturing plant at Nizhny Novgorod. The first vehicles were the GAZ-AA truck and GAZ-A passenger car, based on Ford models. During World War II, GAZ assembled Chevrolet G7107 and G7117 trucks from parts shipped under Lend Lease. In the postwar period, GAZ produced the iconic GAZ-M20 Pobeda sedan, the GAZ-21 Volga, and luxury cars like the GAZ-13 Chaika.
Reader's Guide
GAZ played a central role in Soviet and Russian automotive history, producing vehicles that became cultural symbols, such as the GAZ-21 Volga, which was a symbol of the Soviet epoch. The company's early reliance on Ford technology enabled rapid industrialization of Soviet automobile production. In the post-Soviet era, GAZ shifted to light commercial vehicles, notably the GAZelle, and became a contract manufacturer for Western automakers including Volkswagen, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz. The company faced challenges in the 2000s, including a hostile takeover by SibAl in 2000 and US sanctions on its owner Oleg Deripaska in 2019, which led to worker protests.
Did You Know?
- The GAZ-M20 Pobeda was the first Soviet car with electric windshield wipers.
- In 2006, GAZ acquired the British van maker LDV and planned to market the MAXUS van.
- GAZ assembled Chevrolet G7107 and G7117 trucks during World War II from parts shipped under Lend Lease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles is GAZ most famous for?
The factory is best recognized for the GAZ-M20 Pobeda, the GAZ-21 Volga sedan, and the GAZelle family of light commercial vans. It also gained a reputation for military hardware, particularly the BTR-40 armored personnel carrier.
What role did GAZ play in Soviet military production?
Beyond civilian sedans and trucks, GAZ manufactured armored vehicles, military trucks, and buses for the armed forces throughout the Soviet period. The BTR-40 is one of its most cited military products.
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