Nakhchivan Automobile Plant
An automobile assembly and manufacturing company based in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Nakhchivan Automobile Plant, commonly known as NAZ and also rendered in Azerbaijani as Naxçıvan Avtomobil Zavodu, is an automobile manufacturer and vehicle assembly operation in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The factory was established in 2006 and began operations on 11 January 2010. Its development formed part of Azerbaijan's effort to expand domestic industrial capacity and create a local source of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. During its initial production phase, NAZ worked with China's Lifan Group. The plant assembled a range of Lifan-derived passenger cars and marketed them under the NAZ-LIFAN name. The first reported batch comprised 108 vehicles across four models: the 620 and 520 sedans and the 520i and 320 hatchbacks. This arrangement gave the plant an established product base while allowing it to develop local assembly, component-handling, showroom, and distribution capabilities. The product range expanded in 2012 with the NAZ-LIFAN X60, a sport-utility crossover. Later in 2012, the factory also assembled a limited batch of commercial vehicles for display and marketing. In late 2013, production broadened again with models identified as the NAZ-LIFAN 720, 630, and 330. The wider model catalogue associated with the plant has included passenger cars, crossovers, minibuses, light trucks, cargo vans, and later vehicles associated with manufacturers such as FAW, Changan, and Maple. NAZ's reported factory site covers approximately 2.6 hectares and includes a vehicle assembly line together with several component and production stations. Reported annual capacity is approximately 5,000 vehicles. Commercial-vehicle specifications cited for the plant include an LF5028 cargo van and LF1022 light-duty truck with an approximately 800-kilogram payload, as well as an LF6401 minibus configured for one driver and six passengers. The NAZ-LIFAN 620 was also reported with an automatic-transmission variant. The plant obtained public visibility through its role as an Official Supporter of the Baku 2015 European Games. In April 2019, NAZ became part of Cahan Holding, linking the factory to a broader Azerbaijani business group. Subsequent catalogue references include models such as the Maple X3 PRO, listed from 2023, alongside FAW and Changan vehicles. Publicly available reference material does not establish a complete current production schedule, detailed ownership structure, export footprint, or the present status of every model. NAZ is therefore best described as an Azerbaijani automotive assembly and manufacturing brand with a primarily domestic market orientation.
History
Nakhchivan Automobile Plant was founded in 2006 in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. It began operating on 11 January 2010, establishing a local industrial base for assembling passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The factory's early programme was developed with Lifan Group, and vehicles were sold under the NAZ-LIFAN branding. The first reported production stage consisted of 108 cars across four Lifan-based models: the 620 and 520 sedans, the 520i hatchback, and the 320 hatchback. The plant expanded its programme in 2012 with the NAZ-LIFAN X60 crossover. At the end of that year, it also assembled a small number of commercial vehicles for showroom and marketing purposes. In late 2013, the model range was broadened with the NAZ-LIFAN 720, 630, and 330. The catalogue associated with NAZ has additionally included Lifan models such as the 650, Foison, 820 Premium, X70, and L7, as well as several model-code variants. Later references identify vehicles connected with FAW, Changan, and Maple, including the FAW T80, FAW T33, Changan minivan and pickup models, and the Maple X3 PRO. The reported production site occupies about 2.6 hectares. Its facilities include an assembly line and multiple component stations operating as part of the vehicle-production process. Published reference material gives an annual output capacity of approximately 5,000 vehicles. In addition to passenger cars and crossovers, the factory's commercial range has included the LF5028 cargo van, LF1022 light-duty truck, and LF6401 minibus. The LF5028 and LF1022 are reported with an approximately 800-kilogram carrying capacity, while the LF6401 is described as a one-plus-six-seat minibus. The NAZ-LIFAN 620 was reported with an automatic-transmission configuration. NAZ increased its public profile through participation in the Baku 2015 European Games, where it was designated an Official Supporter. In April 2019, the plant became part of Cahan Holding. This marked an important corporate change, although publicly available material does not provide a detailed account of the transaction's consideration, governance arrangements, or operational consequences. The plant's historical significance lies primarily in its role as a domestic Azerbaijani vehicle assembly operation rather than as a globally distributed marque. Its model strategy has relied on partnerships and licensed or associated products from overseas manufacturers, adapted for sale in Azerbaijan. Available sources do not provide a definitive current production volume, complete list of active models, export markets, executive roster, or detailed breakdown of local versus imported components. Those areas require additional authoritative company or government documentation.
- 2023
Maple X3 PRO listed
[1]The Maple X3 PRO was listed among models associated with the plant from 2023.
- 2019
Part of Cahan Holding
[1]From April 2019, the plant became part of Cahan Holding.
- 2015
Baku European Games partnership
[1]NAZ served as an Official Supporter of the Baku 2015 European Games.
- 2013
Passenger-car range broadened
[1]Production expanded to models identified as the NAZ-LIFAN 720, 630, and 330.
- 2012
X60 crossover added
[1]NAZ began production of the NAZ-LIFAN X60 crossover and assembled a small commercial-vehicle batch for marketing.
- 2010
Operations commence
[1]The factory began operating on 11 January 2010 and started assembling Lifan-derived passenger cars under the NAZ-LIFAN name.
- 2006
Plant founded
[1]Nakhchivan Automobile Plant was established in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.
Products and positioning
Azerbaijani domestic vehicle assembler and manufacturer serving the country's passenger-car and commercial-vehicle market through locally assembled models and international manufacturing partnerships.
Passenger car · 2010
NAZ-LIFAN 620
A Lifan-derived sedan assembled during the plant's initial production phase and marketed under the NAZ-LIFAN brand. Reference material identifies an automatic-transmission version among the plant's offerings.
Passenger cars · 2010
NAZ-LIFAN 520, 520i, and 320
The 520 and 520i represented sedan and hatchback applications respectively, while the 320 was another compact hatchback. Together with the 620, these models formed the first reported 108-vehicle production batch.
Crossover · 2012
NAZ-LIFAN X60
A sport-utility crossover added to the plant's production programme in 2012, broadening NAZ's range beyond compact sedans and hatchbacks.
Passenger cars · 2013
NAZ-LIFAN 720, 630, and 330
A later group of Lifan-associated passenger vehicles reported as entering production at the end of 2013. Public reference material does not provide a full specification or production-volume breakdown for each model.
Commercial vehicles
LF5028 cargo van and LF1022 light-duty truck
Commercial vehicles associated with the plant's programme. Both are reported with an approximately 800-kilogram carrying capacity, although detailed technical and production information is limited.
Minibus
LF6401 minibus
A compact minibus listed with a one-plus-six seating arrangement. The available reference does not establish its current production status.
Crossovers and utility vehicles
FAW T80 and FAW T33
FAW-associated models included in reference lists of vehicles connected with NAZ. The available material does not specify whether they were fully manufactured, assembled, imported, or distributed by the plant.
Commercial vehicles
Changan minivan and pickup
Changan-branded minivan and pickup products appearing in model references associated with NAZ. Detailed manufacturing, assembly, and sales information is not available in the supplied sources.
Crossover · 2023
Maple X3 PRO
A Maple crossover listed among NAZ-associated models from 2023. The available source does not establish production volumes, market coverage, or whether the model remains active.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Baku 2015 European Games Official Supporter
Azerbaijan
NAZ supported the Baku 2015 European Games as an Official Supporter, giving the Azerbaijani automotive brand a high-profile domestic event association.
Outcome. The source confirms the support relationship but does not report sponsorship spending, campaign reach, or measurable commercial results.
Brand decisions
2019
Join Cahan HoldingM&ABackground
The plant underwent a corporate ownership or group-structure change in the Azerbaijani business market.
Action taken
From April 2019, NAZ became part of Cahan Holding.
Aftermath
The available reference establishes the group affiliation but does not describe governance, investment, or operational changes following the move.
2012
Add the NAZ-LIFAN X60 crossoverProduct launchBackground
After beginning with compact passenger cars, the plant broadened its product portfolio into the crossover segment.
Action taken
NAZ began production of the NAZ-LIFAN X60.
Aftermath
The X60 expanded the range, but no source-supplied sales or production results are available.
2010
Launch local assembly through a Lifan partnershipStrategyBackground
The newly established plant needed an initial product and technology base for domestic vehicle assembly.
Action taken
NAZ assembled several Lifan-derived passenger cars and marketed them under the NAZ-LIFAN brand.
Aftermath
The programme established the plant's initial passenger-car range, although the supplied sources do not quantify its longer-term commercial performance.
Recent events
- 2023
Maple X3 PRO appears in the NAZ model catalogue[1]
Product launch
Reference material lists the Maple X3 PRO among models associated with the plant from 2023.
- 2019
NAZ joins Cahan Holding[1]
M&A
From April 2019, the automobile plant became part of Cahan Holding.
- 2015
NAZ becomes an Official Supporter of the Baku 2015 European Games[1]
Campaign
NAZ entered a sponsorship and promotional relationship with the Baku 2015 European Games as an Official Supporter.
- 2012
NAZ expands into crossover production with the X60[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The factory began production of the NAZ-LIFAN X60, expanding its range beyond compact passenger cars into the crossover segment.
- 2010
Nakhchivan Automobile Plant begins operations[1]
Other
The plant commenced operations on 11 January 2010 after being established in 2006.
Sources2 sources
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