During the 1980s, Russia made waves in all aspects of technology. As a matter of fact, the Cold war that emanated within the period and even prior to the decade made Russia a rising force to beat, threatening the superiority and dominance of other super power nations, particularly, the United States. It was during this period that the Lada car brand became highly popular.
The United States and Russia had a strong rivalry. Russia was being adored due to the numerous innovations and breakthroughs in its technology. Thus, the two countries raced to establish and concretize achievements in various space missions. Even in the car industry, Russia was a force to beat.
The flagship car brand of the country was carmaker AutoVAZ's Lada. The company was not fully a government business, but global nations and car markets associated Russia with the brand Lada. The car brand was very promising then and was on the way to clinching the overall top position in terms of car sales. Lada cars even dominated the United Kingdom car sales during the period.
Unfortunately, Lada became a victim of political opinion all over the world against the Communist Soviet Union or Russia. Thus, despite the promising and truly outstanding vehicle features of Lada cars, the car brand was affected by the intensifying public opinion against Russia. Before the end of the 1980s, just simultaneous with the Soviet's collapse, Lada as a company and as a car brand also failed.
There was so much about Lada that caught the attention of car fanatics. First of all, Lada cars exhibited spacious interior, affordability, massive boot, ruggedness and low fuel economy. Low oil consumption of the cars made Lada an inevitable car brand to beat, especially during those times, when an oil crisis was already looming.
Lada was very huge in its home market. From there, the Lada car craze spread like fire across Western Europe. In no time, the company was seen as a lucrative and active importer of cars to other important car markets like Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Brazil. Car buyers simply loved the design and sophisticated features of each Lada car.
Now, the legacy of Lada is being attempted to be revived. Lada AutoVAZ's is a modern company that is incorporated to absorb and continue operating and distributing Lada cars of the new generation. The company is currently very busy in developing new car models, especially motor sport cars, which is seldom and limitedly produced in the global car industry.
With Russia starting to attempt to regain recognition and leadership across all global industries, expect that the Russian car industry would stage a rebound anytime soon. If that happens, it is expected that Lada would play a very significant role.
Lada has already tested the waters and was almost close to world car domination. Would it be able to repeat its feat? Whatever, Lada as a car brand would certainly be a living legacy, a reminder of how Russia could dominate supreme in technology-based industries like the global car industry.
Original Authors: Manny
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 10/06/2008
