Lada Izhevsk
Lada's production facility or sub-brand in Izhevsk
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
IzhAvto refers to the automobile manufacturing operation in Izhevsk, Russia, whose current corporate identity is Lada Izhevsk. The plant was established in 1965 and began vehicle assembly on 12 December 1966, initially building Soviet Moskvitch-derived cars from parts supplied by other manufacturers. Its first major product was the IZh 408, an Izhevsk-built version of the Moskvitch 408. Production expanded rapidly: approximately 300 cars were assembled during the plant's first year, and output reached about 4,000 units by December 1967. The Moskvitch 412 replaced the 408 on the line in 1967 and became a long-running foundation for the plant's own derivatives. Although the early Izhevsk cars were based on AZLK and Moskvitch designs, the plant gradually developed its own styling and product adaptations. From 1970, IZh versions of the 412 diverged from the original through different headlamps and grille treatment, and the cars developed a reputation for comparatively good build quality. The plant also used the 412 platform to create vehicles suited to Soviet commercial and family transport needs. The 2715 delivery van, introduced in 1972, featured a box-shaped cargo body and twin rear doors. A related pickup, the 27151, followed in 1974. These vehicles were used by state organizations, including the Soviet postal service, and some pickups reached overseas markets. The five-door 2125 Kombi, launched in 1975, became another important model and helped establish Izhevsk as a producer of practical hatchbacks and light commercial vehicles. The post-Soviet transition created severe financial and managerial difficulties. In 1996, the operation became a separate company associated with the Izhmash weapons-industrial group under the name DAO Izhmash-Avto. Production declined sharply during the 1990s, falling below 10,000 vehicles annually by 1999. The business was acquired by the SOK Group in 2000, after which production recovered. By 2003 the plant was producing approximately 94,200 vehicles, including Zhiguli models and the Izh Oda. It also broadened its manufacturing role through contract production, including Kia Spectra sedans under a 2005 partnership agreement. Financial problems returned later in the decade. IzhAvto filed for bankruptcy in 2009. The plant and its assets were subsequently brought under AvtoVAZ control, with the acquisition process associated with 2010 and the assets controlled through AvtoVAZ's United Automobile Group structure by spring 2012. Under AvtoVAZ, Izhevsk became a multi-brand production site for Lada and Nissan vehicles. It produced models including the Lada Granta, Nissan Sentra and Nissan Tiida, while the plant's perceived manufacturing quality made it the selected site for the Lada Vesta. AvtoVAZ chief executive Bo Andersson supported placing Vesta production in Izhevsk rather than concentrating it at Tolyatti. The Lada Vesta entered production at Izhevsk in 2015 and became the plant's defining modern product. The factory produced its five millionth vehicle in December 2017. In April 2017, the production operation was renamed Lada Izhevsk Automobile Plant LLC, reflecting its integration into the AvtoVAZ and Lada structure. The plant launched the new-generation Lada Vesta in February 2022, but AvtoVAZ later transferred Vesta NG production to Tolyatti as part of a revised industrial strategy; production began there in March 2023. AvtoVAZ also decided in 2022 to develop an electric Lada e-Largus at Izhevsk and announced in 2023 that the Largus family would be transferred to the site, with the transfer project scheduled for completion in the second half of 2024. Thus, the operation has evolved from a Soviet Moskvitch assembly plant and independent IzhAvto company into an AvtoVAZ manufacturing site focused on Lada production and future electrified vehicles.
History
The Izhevsk automobile factory was established in 1965 and began assembly on 12 December 1966. Its original role was to build Moskvitch-based cars from supplied components, beginning with the IZh 408. Production reached around 300 vehicles in the first year and approximately 4,000 by December 1967. The Moskvitch 412 replaced the 408 in 1967 and became the basis for several Izhevsk-developed derivatives. During the 1970s, the plant increasingly adapted the designs it produced. IZh versions of the 412 received distinctive front-end styling and were regarded as better built than some Moskvitch equivalents. The plant developed a five-door hatchback and commercial derivatives on the same platform. The 2715 delivery van entered the market in 1972, followed by the 27151 pickup in 1974. These vehicles served Soviet state and commercial users, including the postal service, and some pickups were exported. The 2125 Kombi hatchback, introduced in 1975, became one of the plant's best-known products. The 2715 and related pickup variants remained officially in production until 1997, with some final examples reportedly completed later. The transition to a post-Soviet economy caused a sharp decline in output. In 1996 the operation became an independent subsidiary associated with Izhmash, using the corporate name DAO Izhmash-Avto. By 1999 it was producing fewer than 10,000 vehicles annually, amid financing shortages and management problems. The SOK Group acquired the company in 2000, and output later recovered. In 2003, production reached approximately 94,200 vehicles, including Zhiguli cars and the Izh Oda. The plant also entered contract manufacturing, producing Kia Spectra sedans under a partnership established in 2005. IzhAvto filed for bankruptcy in 2009. AvtoVAZ acquired the plant and related assets during the subsequent restructuring, and by spring 2012 the assets were controlled through AvtoVAZ's United Automobile Group subsidiary. The site then produced several Lada and Nissan models, including the Lada Granta, Nissan Sentra and Nissan Tiida. AvtoVAZ selected Izhevsk for Lada Vesta production, partly because management considered the plant's manufacturing quality especially suitable for the new model. Vesta production began in 2015, and the site built its five millionth vehicle in December 2017. The corporate identity was updated in April 2017, when United Automobile Group LLC became Lada Izhevsk Automobile Plant LLC. The site produced the new-generation Lada Vesta from February 2022, but AvtoVAZ subsequently moved that model to Tolyatti, where production began in March 2023. Izhevsk was instead positioned for future Largus production and electrification. AvtoVAZ approved plans in August 2022 for an electric Lada e-Largus at the site and announced in August 2023 that the wider Largus family would be transferred there, with completion planned for the second half of 2024. The operation therefore remains an active AvtoVAZ manufacturing site, although its product mix and corporate role have changed repeatedly over its history.
- 2023
Vesta NG production transferred to Tolyatti
[2]AvtoVAZ announced the relocation of new-generation Vesta production to its main plant.
- 2023
Largus production transfer announced
[3]AvtoVAZ planned to move the Lada Largus family to Izhevsk, with completion scheduled for the second half of 2024.
- 2022
Lada Vesta NG production started
[1]The Izhevsk site began producing the new-generation Vesta before the model was later transferred to Tolyatti.
- 2022
Electric Lada e-Largus project approved
[3]AvtoVAZ selected Izhevsk for planned production of an electric Largus derivative.
- 2017
Production reached five million vehicles
[1]The plant completed its five millionth vehicle in December.
- 2017
Corporate name changed to Lada Izhevsk Automobile Plant
[1]The former United Automobile Group LLC was renamed to reflect its AvtoVAZ and Lada affiliation.
- 2015
Lada Vesta production launched
[1]Izhevsk became the production site for the Lada Vesta.
- 2010
AvtoVAZ acquisition
[1]The plant's assets were acquired and integrated into AvtoVAZ's manufacturing network.
- 2009
IzhAvto entered bankruptcy
[1]The company filed for bankruptcy after a period of financial and operational difficulty.
- 2005
Kia contract production began
[1]The plant entered a partnership to manufacture the Kia Spectra sedan.
Products and positioning
Mass-market and economy-oriented vehicle manufacturing, with a historical emphasis on practical Soviet and Russian passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and contract production for domestic and international automotive groups.
Passenger car · 1966
IZh 408
The IZh 408 was the first major vehicle assembled at the Izhevsk automobile plant. It was based on the Moskvitch 408 and initially used components shipped to the factory. Production began in December 1966, establishing the plant's early role as a Soviet passenger-car assembly operation.
Passenger car · 1967
IZh 412 / 412IE
The IZh 412 replaced the IZh 408 in 1967 and became the foundation for a long series of Izhevsk-built vehicles. From 1970 onward, the plant introduced styling differences from the original Moskvitch design, including distinctive front-end details. The model was also adapted into hatchback, delivery and pickup configurations.
Light commercial vehicle · 1972
IZh 2715
The IZh 2715 was a compact delivery van based on the 412 platform. Its box-like cargo body, twin rear doors and approximately 350-kilogram payload made it useful for state organizations and commercial operators. The Soviet postal service was among its users. The model remained officially produced until 1997, with later examples reportedly completed afterward.
Pickup truck · 1974
IZh 27151
The IZh 27151 was the pickup derivative of the 412-based commercial-vehicle family. Announced in 1974, it served practical transport needs in the Soviet market and was also exported in limited quantities to markets including South America and South Africa. Private ownership of such pickups was restricted in the Soviet Union.
Hatchback · 1975
IZh 2125 Kombi
The IZh 2125 Kombi was a five-door hatchback introduced in 1975 on the 412 platform. Its combination of passenger seating and flexible rear cargo capacity made it a significant success for the Izhevsk plant and one of the best-known vehicles produced under the Izh name.
Passenger car
Izh Oda
Passenger car · 2005
Kia Spectra
The Kia Spectra was manufactured at Izhevsk under a 2005 partnership agreement with Kia. Its production represented the plant's move beyond legacy Soviet-derived vehicles into contract manufacturing for an international automaker.
Passenger car
Lada Granta
The Lada Granta was among the Lada models produced at Izhevsk after the plant became part of AvtoVAZ's manufacturing network. It represented the site's role in domestic mass-market Lada production during the 2010s.
Passenger car
Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra was one of the Nissan models assembled at the Izhevsk plant under AvtoVAZ-era operations, demonstrating the site's continued use for multi-brand manufacturing.
Passenger car
Nissan Tiida
The Nissan Tiida was produced at Izhevsk as part of the plant's multi-brand manufacturing program following its integration into AvtoVAZ's industrial structure.
Passenger car · 2015
Lada Vesta
The Lada Vesta became the principal modern product associated with Izhevsk. Production began in 2015 after AvtoVAZ selected the site partly because of its perceived production quality. The new-generation Vesta entered production there in 2022, but AvtoVAZ later moved that generation to Tolyatti in 2023.
Passenger car and light commercial vehicle
Lada Largus
AvtoVAZ announced plans in 2023 to transfer production of the Lada Largus family to the Izhevsk site. The program was intended to provide the plant with a continuing Lada product line after the transfer of Vesta NG production to Tolyatti.
Electric vehicle · 2022
Lada e-Largus
The Lada e-Largus is an electric derivative of the Largus family selected for planned production at Izhevsk. AvtoVAZ announced the project in 2022 and initially planned to begin production by the end of 2023.
Brand decisions
2023
Transfer Lada Vesta NG production to TolyattiStrategyBackground
AvtoVAZ revised its industrial strategy after new-generation Vesta production had begun in Izhevsk.
Action taken
The company moved Vesta NG production to its main Tolyatti manufacturing site, where production began in March 2023.
Aftermath
Izhevsk required a replacement product allocation and was subsequently selected for Largus-family production and planned e-Largus manufacturing.
2023
Transfer Lada Largus production to IzhevskStrategyBackground
Following the planned relocation of Vesta NG production, AvtoVAZ sought to maintain productive use of the Izhevsk manufacturing site.
Action taken
AvtoVAZ decided to transfer production of the Lada Largus family to Izhevsk, with the project scheduled for completion in the second half of 2024.
Aftermath
The decision made Largus the principal announced replacement program for the site and supported the planned electric e-Largus project.
2022
Develop electric Lada e-Largus productionProduct launchBackground
AvtoVAZ identified Izhevsk as a site for expanding into electric vehicle production.
Action taken
The company approved production of an electric Largus derivative at Izhevsk and initially planned a start by the end of 2023.
Aftermath
The project positioned Izhevsk as a potential center for Lada electrification, although the available material does not establish the final production outcome.
2015
Locate Lada Vesta production in IzhevskProduct launchBackground
AvtoVAZ needed a production site for the new Lada Vesta. Management considered Izhevsk's manufacturing quality comparatively strong.
Action taken
AvtoVAZ assigned Vesta production to the Izhevsk plant, with production beginning in 2015.
Aftermath
Vesta became the plant's defining modern product and supported its strategic role within the Lada manufacturing system.
2010
Integrate the Izhevsk plant into AvtoVAZM&ABackground
IzhAvto entered bankruptcy in 2009 after financial and operational problems. AvtoVAZ subsequently acquired the plant and related assets to expand and reorganize its manufacturing network.
Action taken
The operation was brought under AvtoVAZ control through the United Automobile Group structure.
Aftermath
The site resumed a multi-brand role, producing Lada and Nissan vehicles and later becoming a major Lada Vesta production location.
Sources3 sources
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