LADA Returning to the UK
Discussion
I don't know why anyone would use a tarnished brand name to launch a new car. There is little brand loyalty or nostalgia to capitalise on by using 'Lada'. There is plenty of 'Oh God, not a Lada' prejudice that they have to address though.
If Renault feel that there's a market for a super-cheap car, why don't they do a very basic Twingo?
"The UK was one of the few markets where the Lada was a success" Yes, and it couldn't even survive here! Doesn't that tell you something?
If Renault feel that there's a market for a super-cheap car, why don't they do a very basic Twingo?
"The UK was one of the few markets where the Lada was a success" Yes, and it couldn't even survive here! Doesn't that tell you something?
Balmoral Green said:
A surprising amount of ignorance posted about Lada on this thread. Obviously no one knows much about them, either then or now, and from the tone some of you are clearly not worth educating on the subject either.
My dad had one for his first car, never let him down. He got a year old Riva 1.5 for the price of a 5 year old Ford or Vauxhall equivilent.We still have the Haynes manual for it somewhere. Looks like good simple, honest, engineering.
Back in the 80s I had to fit an engine in a customers Riva(the old Fiat 124 ). It was came directly with everything already fitted, eg carb, clutch, alternator distributor hoses and leads. Straight off the assembly line .The cost was very low . Cheap motoring for pensioners.I believe that was their market.
Poorly made but very cheap to run .How can that be bad??
Poorly made but very cheap to run .How can that be bad??
They still make the Lada Riva, for local market they are badged a 'Zhiguli', the Samara is badged a 'Sputnik'.
They may be a crappy driving experience, but they are hard as nails motoring and pretty reliable, after all, you don't want your motor to break down in the middle of Siberia miles from anywhere when it's -45C outside.
Outside of Moscow, every second car is a Lada, they are raced, rallied and the young lads take off the bumpers, jack up the rear ends and darken the windows! You see every single incarnation and age of Lada being used and abused, the bloody things just won't die.
There seem to be vast amount of Soviet era, first generation single round headlight models in use, these cars are knocking on for 40 odd years old now. How many Mk 1 Escorts do you still see in daily use in the UK?
They may be a crappy driving experience, but they are hard as nails motoring and pretty reliable, after all, you don't want your motor to break down in the middle of Siberia miles from anywhere when it's -45C outside.
Outside of Moscow, every second car is a Lada, they are raced, rallied and the young lads take off the bumpers, jack up the rear ends and darken the windows! You see every single incarnation and age of Lada being used and abused, the bloody things just won't die.
There seem to be vast amount of Soviet era, first generation single round headlight models in use, these cars are knocking on for 40 odd years old now. How many Mk 1 Escorts do you still see in daily use in the UK?
White LotusExcel said:
Its an Import scam, re badging as VW & Skoda, to get around import restrictions and clearing old parts bins,, OH by the way my Nan said she had a LADA, !!!!! she told me she would keep her cheese an milk in it,to keep it cold, guess that one had no heaters fitted either
My Nan said she also used to have a Lada. She used hers for cleaning the windows on the first floor. How she got it up the stairs I'll never know.I worked for Lada cars during the late 1970s and just want to put a few things straight.
Yes they were cheap,and the fit and finish left alot to be desired but think of the market at that time.
Lada were aimed at those people that could not afford a new marina, escort, allegro but wanted the new plate on the drive so a cheap Lada made sense.The best model in the range was the 1600ES it was the luxary Lada the estates sold very well and the Niva was a good selling car but suffered initially from being left hand drive only.
I can only speak of reliability from my own cars 90,000 miles a year never let down on the road and quite brilliant in snow and poor weather.
Lada sold 30,000 units a year at its peak but the demise was caused by the closure of the traditional manufacturing industries after maggie came to power.
Will the brand sell today sadly too tainted but look at Skoda and how they have come up with VWs help.The u.k. is generally too snobby for cheap cars these days any how so sadly I cannot see Lada suceeding if Renault want to introduce cheaper cars I agree with previous post do poverty spec Twingos ect
Yes they were cheap,and the fit and finish left alot to be desired but think of the market at that time.
Lada were aimed at those people that could not afford a new marina, escort, allegro but wanted the new plate on the drive so a cheap Lada made sense.The best model in the range was the 1600ES it was the luxary Lada the estates sold very well and the Niva was a good selling car but suffered initially from being left hand drive only.
I can only speak of reliability from my own cars 90,000 miles a year never let down on the road and quite brilliant in snow and poor weather.
Lada sold 30,000 units a year at its peak but the demise was caused by the closure of the traditional manufacturing industries after maggie came to power.
Will the brand sell today sadly too tainted but look at Skoda and how they have come up with VWs help.The u.k. is generally too snobby for cheap cars these days any how so sadly I cannot see Lada suceeding if Renault want to introduce cheaper cars I agree with previous post do poverty spec Twingos ect
mrnikko said:
I worked for Lada cars during the late 1970s and just want to put a few things straight.
Yes they were cheap,and the fit and finish left alot to be desired but think of the market at that time.
Lada were aimed at those people that could not afford a new marina, escort, allegro but wanted the new plate on the drive so a cheap Lada made sense.The best model in the range was the 1600ES it was the luxary Lada the estates sold very well and the Niva was a good selling car but suffered initially from being left hand drive only.
I can only speak of reliability from my own cars 90,000 miles a year never let down on the road and quite brilliant in snow and poor weather.
Lada sold 30,000 units a year at its peak but the demise was caused by the closure of the traditional manufacturing industries after maggie came to power.
Will the brand sell today sadly too tainted but look at Skoda and how they have come up with VWs help.The u.k. is generally too snobby for cheap cars these days any how so sadly I cannot see Lada suceeding if Renault want to introduce cheaper cars I agree with previous post do poverty spec Twingos ect
Interesting comments.Yes they were cheap,and the fit and finish left alot to be desired but think of the market at that time.
Lada were aimed at those people that could not afford a new marina, escort, allegro but wanted the new plate on the drive so a cheap Lada made sense.The best model in the range was the 1600ES it was the luxary Lada the estates sold very well and the Niva was a good selling car but suffered initially from being left hand drive only.
I can only speak of reliability from my own cars 90,000 miles a year never let down on the road and quite brilliant in snow and poor weather.
Lada sold 30,000 units a year at its peak but the demise was caused by the closure of the traditional manufacturing industries after maggie came to power.
Will the brand sell today sadly too tainted but look at Skoda and how they have come up with VWs help.The u.k. is generally too snobby for cheap cars these days any how so sadly I cannot see Lada suceeding if Renault want to introduce cheaper cars I agree with previous post do poverty spec Twingos ect
Though I have no idea how Magaret Thatcher had anything to do with the demise of Lada in the UK.
The main reason Lada pulled out of the UK market was due to their vehicles not being able to meet more stringent emissions regulations that were coming into force in Europe (Euro 2 IIRC). AvtoVaz, the comapny who makes Ladas couldn't afford to purcahse and license modern western fuel injection systems required to meet the new emissions laws.
StuartGGray said:
Brink said:
Our potholed roads are already bad enough thanks, without having to also dodge dropped LADA engines/gearboxes/axles in the road as well. We should campaign against this.
I think you would find the Niva quite capable of negotiating potholes, without dropping hardware.Lada 4x4s actually appreciate in value in late autumn and winter because they are tough as old boots, are fitted with lorry batteries as standard, and eat snowdrifts for breakfast.
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