View source for UAZ

{{Short description|Russian automobile company}}
{{For|the Mexican university|Autonomous University of Zacatecas}}
{{distinguish|LuAZ}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ulyanovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (UAZ)
| former_names = 
| logo = UAZ_company_logo.png
| logo_size = 150 
| image = Ulyanovskiy Avtozavod UAZ main entrance.jpg
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Ulyanovskiy Avtozavod (UAZ) main entrance
| industry = [[Automotive]]
| type = [[Private limited company]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1941}}
| location_city = [[Ulyanovsk]], [[Ulyanovsk Oblast|ULY]]
| location_country = Russia
| products ={{plainlist|
* [[Sport utility vehicle|SUV]]s
* [[Off-road vehicle]]s
* [[Bus]]es
* [[pickup truck|Pickups]]
* [[Truck]]s
}}
| revenue = {{Wikidata revenue|revenue|USD}}{{Wikidata revenue|revenue|ref}}
| revenue_year = {{Wikidata revenue|revenue|year}}
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| net_income = {{Wikidata revenue|net_income|USD}}{{Wikidata revenue|net_income|ref}}
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| assets = {{Wikidata revenue|assets|USD}}{{Wikidata revenue|assets|ref}}
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| equity = {{Wikidata revenue|equity|USD}}{{Wikidata revenue|equity|ref}}
| equity_year = {{Wikidata revenue|equity|year}}
| parent = [[Sollers JSC]]
| subsid = 
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| homepage = {{URL|https://www.uaz.ru/en|uaz.ru}}
}}

'''UAZ''' or '''Ulyanovsky Avtomobilny Zavod''' ({{langx|ru|Ульяновский автомобильный завод, УАЗ|Ulyanovsky avtomobilny zavod, '''UAZ'''|lit='''Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant'''}}) is an [[automobile]] manufacturer based in [[Ulyanovsk]], Russia, which manufactures [[off-road vehicles]], [[buses]] and trucks. It has been part of the [[Sollers JSC|Sollers]] automotive group since 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=UAZ|url=http://www.sollers-auto.com/en/about/structure/UMZ_about/|website=Sollers-auto.com|access-date=27 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002001655/http://www.sollers-auto.com/en/about/structure/UMZ_about/|archive-date=2 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

UAZ is best known for the [[UAZ-469]] utility vehicle, which has seen wide use as a military vehicle in the [[Eastern bloc]] and around the world. The UAZ factory started production in 1941 as part of the Soviet war effort. 51,706 UAZ vehicles were produced in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Motor Vehicle Production|url=http://www.oica.net/wp-content/uploads/Sollers.pdf|publisher=OICA|access-date=22 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023010628/http://www.oica.net/wp-content/uploads/Sollers.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
===War and postwar===
The Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant was founded in 1941 as a direct result of the [[German invasion of the Soviet Union]]. In response to this threat, the government of [[Joseph Stalin]] ordered the evacuation of strategically crucial industrial centers to the East. By October 1941, the rapid German drive to Moscow, triggered the decision to relocate the Moscow automotive manufacturer [[Zavod Imeni Likhacheva|ZIS]] to the [[Volga]] town of [[Ulyanovsk]]. The town, already a nascent industrial center with a sufficiently developed infrastructure and a good supply of skilled workers, would be an ideal location for the reconstituted factory. It was also safely out of reach of the German army. At that time of its founding, the plant was considered a subsidiary of ZIS. By 1942, the plant began production of artillery shells and automobiles. The first vehicle produced at the plant was the [[ZIS-5 (truck)|ZIS-5]] three-ton truck.

In 1943, when the prospect of a German victory had become far less likely, it was decided the relocated plant would remain in Ulyanovsk and be separated administratively from ZIS, which would be rebuilt in Moscow from scratch. This was in line with the Soviet post-war policy regarding various relocated industrial operations. It was considered more efficient to leave the newly built plants as is, while the original plants, provided they survived the war were outfitted anew, frequently with captured German machinery. At the end of 1944, the production of the ZIS-5 was transferred to The [[Ural Automotive Plant]] in [[Miass]], while the Ulyanovsk plant began producing the smaller [[Ford Model AA|GAZ-AA]] in 1947.<ref name=Thompson71>Thompson, Andy. ''Cars of the Soviet Union'' (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p. 71.</ref> UAZ developed a prototype 1.5-tonne truck in 1948, using the ubiquitous {{convert|50|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}} {{convert|2112|cc|cid|0|abbr=on}} [[Inline four engine|inline four]] of the [[GAZ-M20 Pobeda|''Pobeda'']]; this, the [[UAZ-300]], was never built, due to a lack of production capacity.<ref name=Thompson71/> In 1954, production was expanded to include the [[GAZ-69]], and the first batches were assembled from GAZ parts.<ref>Thompson, pp.71–72.</ref> Two years later, the factory was not just assembling GAZ-69s from parts delivered elsewhere, but manufacturing them in their entirety.

The connection with [[GAZ]] led UAZ to be the top Soviet manufacturer of [[four-wheel drive]] vehicles.<ref name=Thompson71/>

===Golden age===
UAZ began its growth away from being a mere assembler in 1954, with the creation of its own design office.<ref name=Thompson72>Thompson, p. 72.</ref> It was this office, responding to a request from the [[Red Army]], that in 1955 created a [[Cab over|forward control]] van project, codenamed "Forty", on the GAZ-69 [[chassis]].<ref name=Thompson72/> This became the [[UAZ-450]], the first Soviet "cabover" truck.<ref name=Thompson72/> The prototype appeared in 1956, and was tested in both the [[Caucasus Mountains]] and the [[Crimea]].<ref name=Thompson72/> Its loaded weight was 2.7 tonnes, and it, like all the UAZ-450 series vehicles, was powered by a {{convert|62|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}} low-[[Compression ratio|compression]] {{convert|2432|cc|cid|abbr=on}} inline-four (based on the ubiquitous ''Pobeda''{{'}}s, but with an {{convert|88|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[Bore (engine)|bore]], rather than {{convert|82|mm|in|abbr=on}}), and the ''Pobeda''{{'}}s three-speed [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]], while the [[transfer case]], drive axles, [[leaf spring]]s, and [[drum brake]]s came from the GAZ-69.<ref name=Thompson72/>

In 1958, UAZ began production of the UAZ-450 series of trucks and vans. The first model was the UAZ-450A ambulance; with room for two stretchers and [[four-wheel drive]], it was arguably the best in the world for use in remote areas.<ref name=Thompson72/> It was followed by the UAZ-450D drop-side [[Pickup truck|pickup]], which had an {{convert|800|kg|lb|abbr=on}} payload; the UAZ-450 van, with a {{convert|750|kg|lb|abbr=on}} payload; and the 11-seat UAZ-450V [[microbus]].<ref name=Thompson72/> All the UAZ-450 series were capable of disconnecting the front drive axle and of reaching {{convert|56|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, achieving fuel economy of {{convert|14|L/100 km|mpgus mpgimp|abbr=on}}, and of towing an {{convert|850|kg|lb|abbr=on}} trailer.<ref name=Thompson72/>

A two-wheel drive variant of the UAZ-450 was announced on 12 December 1961, with the UAZ-450's {{convert|2300|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[wheelbase]] and engine, as the UAZ-451 (van), UAZ-451D (drop-side pickup), UAZ-451A (ambulance), and UAZ-451B (minibus).<ref name=Thompson172>Thompson, p. 172.</ref> The ambulance spawned a prototype [[UAZ-452GP]] with [[hydropneumatic]] suspension, to enable it to cross rough ground at high speed, following on the work done by [[Citroën]] on the [[Citroën DS#Technical innovation – hydraulic systems|DS19]].<ref name=Thompson172/> The system proved very successful on trials, but it was rejected by the [[Soviet Army]] as too complicated, and so never entered production.<ref name=Thompson173>Thompson, p. 173.</ref>

In 1966, the UAZ-451s were updated with a {{convert|70|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}} {{convert|2432|cc|cid|abbr=on}} inline-four (still based on the ''Pobeda''{{'}}s), four-speed gearbox, and minor detail changes, plus a stronger chassis (and so higher payload).<ref name=Thompson173/> The models were a redesignated UAZ-451M (van, with an {{convert|800|kg|lb|abbr=on}} payload) and a UAZ-451DM (pickup, with a {{convert|1000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} payload).<ref name=Thompson173/> Maximum speed was {{convert|59|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Thompson173/>

In 1966, the four-wheel drives were renumbered [[UAZ-452]] (van), UAZ-452D (pickup), UAZ-452V (minibus), UAZ-452A and UAZ-452G (both ambulances, with different patient capacities).<ref name=Thompson173/> There was also the UAZ-452S ambulance, specially designed for Arctic conditions, with more heating capacity, double-[[Glazing (window)|glazed]] windows, and insulation; they proved able to keep a 30&nbsp;°C interior temperature in −60&nbsp;°C outside conditions.<ref>Thompson, pp.173 & 175.</ref> The UAZ-452 was able to cross {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} of snow and carry an {{convert|800|kg|lb|abbr=on}} load.<ref name=Thompson175>Thompson, p.175.</ref> The UAZ-452s would go on to become a workhorse of Soviet agriculture and police, with the pickup proving a popular commercial vehicle.<ref>Thompson, p.175, support only the "commercial vehicle" claim.</ref> Export versions of the UAZ-452D were called Trekmaster when sold in Britain, but never in large numbers; there was also a version with a British-built dump body, the Tipmaster.<ref name="Thompson175–176">Thompson, pp. 175–176.</ref>

The UAZ-451S was a snow-crossing variant with front skis and rear tracks; it was never produced in quantity, nor was the UAZ-451S2, which had tracks at front and rear.<ref name="Thompson175–176"/> The UAZ-452 also served as the basis for an [[Articulated vehicle|articulated]] model, the UAZ-452P, that was never put into production.<ref name=Thompson175/>

In 1972 the well-regarded, but outdated, GAZ-69 was replaced by the more modern [[UAZ-469]]. This was developed from the [[UAZ-471]] of 1958 (with four-wheel independent suspension, which proved too complex)<ref>Thompson, p.176.</ref> and the [[UAZ-460]].<ref>Thompson, p.73 caption.</ref> The UAZ-469 was a sturdy, but not-so-comfortable vehicle with the ability to overcome virtually any terrain, while also providing ease of maintenance. The UAZ-469 was not made available to the civilian market until the late 1980s, before which time it was built exclusively for [[Militsiya|police]] and military use, as well as heads of agricultural enterprises ([[kolhoz]]es and [[sovkhoz]]es). A commercially available variant was produced by the [[LuAZ|Lutzk Automotive Works]].

===Later years===
[[File:UAZ1.jpg|thumb|UAZ headquarters building]]
[[File:UAZ-469 stella at UAZ plant in Ulyanovsk.jpg|thumb|right|UAZ-469 stella at UAZ plant in Ulyanovsk]]
In the 1990s, following the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], UAZ became a [[joint-stock company]] and soon received the Golden Globe and Golden Mercury Awards for a significant volume of sales and its contribution to the [[Economy of Russia|Russian economy]].<ref name=OfficialHistory>{{cite web|url=http://www.uaz.ru/company/history|title=История|website=www.uaz.ru|access-date=2016-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102144736/http://www.uaz.ru/company/history|archive-date=2017-01-02|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 5 August 1997, the new UAZ-3160 went into production and received a gold medal at an international fair in [[Yekaterinburg]]. The car was used as the basis for the later Simbir and UAZ-3163.<ref name=OfficialHistory/>

In March 2003, UAZ opened an assembly line in [[Vietnam]]. On 20 November, the company produced the last UAZ-31512 and the first UAZ Hunter.<ref name=OfficialHistory/>

On 17 August 2005, the first UAZ Patriots rolled off the assembly line. They had new suspension, transmission and steering control and became the first brand new models of UAZ since the fall of the Soviet Union. The same year the assembly line had undergone a large-scale modernization. The company signed contracts with foreign suppliers and used a significant number of foreign components in its newest vehicles.<ref name=OfficialHistory/>

In 2006, UAZ opened a new control and test section of the main assembly line and presented 4 new cars at the [[Moscow International Automobile Salon]].<ref name=OfficialHistory/>

In the following years UAZ introduced a number of additional options and improvements in its vehicles, such as the better heating and ventilation of the passenger compartment, [[Internal combustion engine cooling|engine cooling system]], together with [[Lukoil]] introduced a new line of [[motor oils]] for its cars, offered [[Iveco]] [[diesel engine]]s and launched the UAZ Cargo, a light commercial truck based on the UAZ Patriot.<ref name=OfficialHistory/>

In 2012, the Patriot and the Pickup received a new engine, ZMZ Euro-4 with European [[on-board diagnostics]], which became the first Russian diesel engine to meet the [[European emission standards|Euro-4 Standard]] published in 1998. 2013 was the banner year for UAZ, with export sales increasing by 37% since 2012. The next year the sales of the Patriot rose by 10%, and the company was visited by Premier [[Dmitry Medvedev]].<ref name=OfficialHistory/>

During a test drive in 2014, a UAZ Patriot crossed winter roads and frozen [[tundra]] of the [[Sakha Republic]] and reached one of the northernmost Russian ports at [[Tiksi]], being the first car to cross the [[73rd parallel north]] moving under its own power.<ref name=OfficialHistory/>

In January 2015, the sales increased by 3%. A UAZ Patriot support vehicle took part in the [[2015 Dakar Rally]], crossing the route of 9,295&nbsp;km through [[Bolivia]], Chile and [[Peru]]. The company finished the production of special series of UAZ Hunters, which were to be replaced by newer models; these Hunters were a [[limited edition]] and had airbrushed artistic paintings on them commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War II. In August the UAZ Patriot received new upgrades, including new paint colors, 18-inch wheels, interiors, frameless wiper blades, etc. The same year UAZ trucks were present at the Moscow Off-Road Show 2015, Interpolitech-2015 and ComTrans-2015 exhibitions.<ref name=OfficialHistory/>
[[File:UAZ ambulance in Minsk 2.jpg|thumb|An ambulance based on a [[UAZ Patriot|UAZ Profi]].]]
UAZ delisted from the [[Moscow Exchange]] in July 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=BRIEF-UAZ announces delisting of shares from Moscow Exchange|url=http://mobile.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSFWN0ZV07720150716|access-date=23 April 2017|work=Reuters|date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424023450/http://mobile.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSFWN0ZV07720150716|archive-date=24 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2023, [[Izvestia]] reported that UAZ would shortly launch [[Knock-down kit|knock down production]] of vehicles in [[Cuba]], as a result of negotiations between [[Russia]]n and [[Cuba]]n enterprises.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2023 |title="УАЗы" будут собирать на Кубе |url=https://iz.ru/1516949/2023-05-23/uazy-budut-sobirat-na-kube |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Известия |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UAZ will arrange the assembly of cars in Cuba |url=https://eng.autostat.ru/news/23161/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=eng.autostat.ru |language=en}}</ref> Service centers for the repair and maintenance of these vehicles would also be set up in the country. The Cuban side of the delegation was reportedly the most interested in UAZ Profi delivery vehicles, as well as ambulances based on the [[UAZ-452|UAZ Classic]]. The first batch of machine kits will go to Cuba in July–August 2023. UAZ further stated that vehicle production would increase by 2,000 units, as well as increase employee wages by 12%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=УАЗ планирует увеличить объем выпуска автомобилей |url=https://iz.ru/1520906/2023-05-30/uaz-planiruet-uvelichit-obem-vypuska-avtomobilei |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Известия |language=ru}}</ref>

In June 2023, UAZ announced plans to launch a limited anniversary edition of the [[UAZ-452|UAZ Classic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anniversary special version of Bukhanka will appear in the autumn of 2023 |url=https://eng.autostat.ru/news/23256/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=eng.autostat.ru |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2023 |title=УАЗ отметит 65-летие "Буханки" выходом юбилейной версии |url=https://iz.ru/1518440/2023-05-25/uaz-otmetit-65-letie-bukhanki-vykhodom-iubileinoi-versii |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=Известия |language=ru}}</ref>

==Models==
===Current===
Current lineup of UAZ vehicles:<ref>{{cite web|title=Vehicles|url=https://www.uaz.ru/en/cars|website=Uaz.ru|access-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703222531/https://www.uaz.ru/en/cars|archive-date=3 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
====SUVs====
* [[UAZ Hunter]] (UAZ-315195, 2003–present)
* [[UAZ Patriot]] (UAZ-3163, 2005–present)
** UAZ Pickup – pickup version
** UAZ Cargo – truck version
** UAZ Profi – truck version
<gallery>
Interpolitex 2011 (403-53).jpg|[[UAZ Hunter]] (2003–present)
File:UAZ Patriot - przód(MSP16).jpg|[[UAZ Patriot]] (2005–present)
</gallery>

====Minibuses====
* [[UAZ-452|UAZ-452/UAZ-3741]] (1965–present)
** UAZ-451 – truck version
** UAZ 452D/UAZ-3303 – truck version
<gallery>
File:UAZ-Bus.jpg|[[UAZ-452|UAZ-452/UAZ-3742]] (1965–present)
</gallery>

===Past models===
====SUVs====
*[[UAZ-469|UAZ-469/UAZ-3151]] (1971–2005)
**[[UAZ-469|UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512]] – civilian version
**[[UAZ-469|UAZ-31514]] – metal roofed version
**[[UAZ Bars|UAZ-3153]] – long wheelbase version
*[[UAZ Simbir|UAZ-3160]] (1997–1999)
*[[UAZ Simbir]] (UAZ-3162, 2000–2004)
**[[UAZ-2360]] – truck version
<gallery>
File:ParkPatriot2015part4-12.jpg|[[UAZ-469|UAZ-469/UAZ-3151]] (1971–2005)
File:UAZ-3160 01.jpg|[[UAZ Simbir|UAZ-3160]] (1997–1999)
File:Jílové u Prahy, vůz městské policie.jpg|[[UAZ Simbir]] (2000–2004)
</gallery>

====Minibuses====
*[[UAZ-452|UAZ-450]] (1958–1965)
** UAZ-450D – truck version
<gallery>
File:UAZ-450A.jpg|[[UAZ-452|UAZ-450]] (1958–1965)
</gallery>

===Prototypes===
* [[UAZ Jaguar|UAZ-3907 Jaguar]] – amphibious car (1976)
* UAZ-3171 – SUV (1989)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/ENGLISH-automotorusse9%28uaz%29.htm#2 |title=Autosoviet: UAZ |access-date=2013-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810163219/http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/ENGLISH-automotorusse9(uaz).htm#2 |archive-date=2015-08-10 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[UAZ Simba]] (UAZ-3165) – minivan (1999)
<gallery>
File:UAZ-3907.jpg|[[UAZ Jaguar|UAZ-3907 Jaguar]] (1976)
File:UAZ-3172-01.jpg|UAZ-3171 (1989)
File:UAZ-3165m.JPG|[[UAZ Simba]] (1999)
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[TREKOL-39294]] – A Russian six-wheeled amphibious all-terrain vehicle manufactured using UAZ and GAZ products
*[[Automobile model numbering system in the Soviet Union and Russia]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category }}
* {{Official Website}}

{{UAZ timeline 1980 to date}}
{{Automotive industry in Russia}}
{{Automotive industry in the Soviet Union}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uaz}}
[[Category:UAZ| ]]
[[Category:Sollers JSC]]
[[Category:Cars of Russia]]
[[Category:Truck manufacturers of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle engine manufacturers]]
[[Category:Russian brands]]
[[Category:Car brands]]
[[Category:Companies based in Ulyanovsk]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Moscow Exchange]]
[[Category:Engine manufacturers of Russia]]