Moskvitch (sometimes also mentioned as Moskvich or Moskwitch) is an automobile brand from Russia.
After World War II the Soviet Union brought the entire manufacuting line of Opel from Brandenburg in Germany with them. A factory called MZMA (Moskovsky Zavod Malolitrazhnykh Avtomobiley) started in 1947 to manufacture an automobile called Moskvitch 400 based on the Opel Kadett. Further models were developed by Soviet engineers. In 1969, the factory changed name to AZLK (Avtomobilny Zavod imeni Leninskogo Komsomola).
Moskvitch cars were always somewhat sturdy but reliable on substandard roads; they were offered at an affordable price. (The demand permanently exceeded production, so people had to wait long for a new car).
A modernized line of Moskvitch models started in 1988 with the Aleko. But the markets failed during the 1990's, and in 2002, AZLK went into bankruptcy. Plans to restart the factory have so far (2004) not succeeded.
Moskvitch models
- Moskvitch 400 (1947)
- Moskvitch 402 (1956)
- Moskvitch 403 (1962)
- Moskvitch 410 (four wheel drive version of 402)
- Moskvitch 407 (1958)
- Moskvitch 408 (1966)
- Moskvitch 2136
- Moskvitch 2137
- Moskvitch 2138
- Moskvitch 2140
- Aleko (1988)
- Kalita (named after Ivan Kalita, a 14th century Russian prince)
- Svjatogor (a name taken from Russian mythologi)
- Dolgorukij (named after Ivan Dolgorukij, who founded Moscow)
- Knjaz Vladimir (named after the same Ivan Dolgorukij, who also had the title Prince of Vladimir)
See also
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