Zastava Automobiles
Encyclopedia
Zastava Automobiles is a Serbia
n industrial conglomerate based in the city of Kragujevac
in central Serbia, currently run as a joint venture
between the Fiat Group (67%) and the Serbian government (33%). It is most known for its Fiat-based automobiles, which began assembling in 1955 for Eastern Europe
an markets. The firm also manufactures military and sporting small arms, most of them based on Russian and German design, under the name Zastava Arms
.
On 28 July 2008, Fiat signed a letter of intent, undertaking to take control of the automobile division, investing €700 million in return for a 70 percent stake in the company (currently owned by the state) and an additional €100 million of investment from the Serbian government
. This was later revised to €300 million. Fiat pledged not to cut any jobs and to make good a backlog in wage payments for employees and hinted that the plant may become a dedicated Fiat production site. With this major investment, production is set to reach 330 000 units by 2012.
and Fiat 600
.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Zastava sold its compact cars in North and South America and Western Europe under the "Yugo
" brand. Its final model, the Yugo Sana
, was styled by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro
and launched in 1990, but its production was cut short by the Yugoslav wars
. By the same time Yugo brand had disappeared from most Western markets by 1993. In 1999, the factory was destroyed by NATO bombing during the Kosovo War.
Like the Eastern bloc
manufacturer AutoVAZ, maker of the Lada
, the post-communist era has been difficult for Zastava as it failed to introduce new models for long time.
In September 2005, the company signed a new agreement with Fiat
to produce a version of the 2003 model Fiat Punto
for the Balkans under the name Zastava 10
, with capacity of 16000 Zastava 10
s yearly.
In December 2007 Serbia announced that Zastava would be privatized in April 2008.
The roots of Zastava lay in the 1851 founding in Kragujevac
of the Vojno-Tehnicki Zavod (Army Technical Institute). The institute developed a cannon foundry division in 1853, becoming a military vocational school in March 1854.
At the end of the 19th century the cannon foundry changed its name to the Military Engineering Works. The firm rapidly expanded its production program and the complexity and quality of its products.
would leave Kragujevac lines.
On 12 August 1954 Zastava signed a cooperation agreement with Fiat
. Three months later, Kragujevac began assembling Fiat 1400
, Fiat 1100 B
and Fiat AP-55 Campagnola
.
Fiat 1400 was Zastava's first assembled automobile, but Fića
Zastava's licence built version of Fiat 600
is its iconic historical brand. 923487 of Zastava 750 were produced ower span of 30 years, with several different engines and in various equipment levels, from 18 October 1955 through 18 November 1985.
Total vehicle production in 1955 was 1044, by 1958 it rose to 3596. During 1957 and 1958 Zastava established a supplier network. Zastava outsourced engine manufacture to Rakovica
-based engine manufacturer 25. Maj (DMB).
With the advent of the 1961 1300 and 1500 came Zastava's 1300/ 1500 series, produced as both sedans and wagons. With all-around disc brakes, rear-wheel-drive and up to 72 horsepower, the "tristać" was Yugoslavia's favorite upmarket car. Today, many across the former Yugoslavia recall the 1300 as Zastava's best automobile ever: the Jugoslovenski Mercedes, they call it. 201,160 copies of the 1300 and 1500 were produced from 1961 through December 20th, 1979.
The fića had started life as the 16 kW 633 cc Fiat 600
, designed by legendary Fiat engineer Dante Giacosa
. In 1962, Zastava began production of the Fiat 600D, badged Zastava 750, boasting an 18 kW 767 cc engine capable of propelling the car to 110 kilometres per hour (68.4 mph).
The floorpan of the 1300/ 1500 was used as the basis for the Polski-Fiat 125p, which was produced by Polish FSO from Zastava CKD kits. The 125p was created by mating the body of the Fiat 125 to the mechanicals (engines, gearbox, transmission and suspension) of the 1300 and 1500. On the Yugoslav market, the 125p was known as the Zastava 125PZ.
1965 marked the official beginning of Zastava exports, with 6,000 cars sent to Poland.
In 1967, Zastava produced about 52,000 trucks and passenger cars; in 1968, 53,000.
Zastava in this decade signed a new contract expanding production and technological cooperation with Fiat. A $10 million investment pushed annual capacity to 85,000, with plans in place to reach 130,000 units within a five-year period.
In 1969, the Zastava Kamioni (Zastava Trucks) division split from Zastava Automobili and began producing Italy's Om trucks, rated for between 2.5 and 4 tons. Today, Zastava Kamioni continues to make trucks through a partnership with Iveco.
In 1970, Zastava rolled out the 750M, fitted with a new 767 cc engine boasting a thermostat-controlled pressurised cooling system.
In the beginning of the seventies Zastava made arrangement with Fiat to produce Zastava 101 (4cyl, 1116 cc OHC, 55 hp, front wheel drive), which was based on Fiat 128
. It had restyled rear panel and resembled a hatchback
body style. This 3 and 5 door variant of Fiat 128 was specific to Zastava and was never released elsewhere by Fiat.
It was said that model 101 should be produced in Yugoslavia for both Yugoslav and Italian market, and vice versa, in the Italian market would have been sold under the marque Innocenti
. It was soon nicknamed Stojadin as a pun on sto jedan (101) (Stojadin is a male name, although folk etymology also associates it with sto jada, "a hundred woes", due to the poor performance and assembling). In spite of this negative record, the car was a good seller in the domestic market as there was a virtual monopoly. Yugoslavs used to buy it because of its moderate price, simple mechanics, cheap spare parts and low maintenance cost compared to other cars assembled in Yugoslavia.
In 1979, Zastava 750S - (Special) was released which offered updated interior controls and switches, a new steering wheel and a sportier 22 kW engine which raised the car's top speed to 120 kilometres per hour (74.6 mph).
In 1980, the Zastava 850 was launched, with a 23.4 kW 848 cc engine propelling it to 125 km/h and a fully synchronized transaxle. Production of the 750 and 850 continued through 1985 in L, LE and SC versions until, finally, the tools were sold to the Tofaş
factory in Turkey. Tofaş continued to produce these cars under Zastava license into the '90s.
In the mid-seventies, Zastava management decided to develop a new model, still based on the same Fiat engine. It was originally to be known as Zastava 102, but the name was dropped in 1981 and the car released as Yugo 45. It was styled by Zastava with some help from Fiat engineers. It was an updated body version of Fiat 127
with some elements of Fiat 128
and it followed the style of the Autobianchi A112
but with a more square appearance. Several variants were made, with 903 cc, 1116 cc, and 1301 cc engines.
Later in the eighties, Yugo was exported to USA and at the same time it went through several modifications, most importantly the adoption of a 5-speed gearbox. In the same decade, Zastava changed its branading name to Yugo and derivative models were renamed: original Zastava Yugo to Koral Zastava 101/128 to Skala. The original numerical classification would remain unchanged for some export markets, as it was the case for the United Kingdom.
These were Zastava's best years in number of cars assembled, around 230,000 cars a year. Zastava cars were to be sold in 70 countries at the time, with 27,000 exported to Western markets. The factory also started to make truck
s, under IVECO
licence.
(known as Yugo Sana or Yugo Sana Miami, in some countries). Its exterior was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro
, with a body shape similar to a Fiat Tipo
or Citroën ZX
.
In the early 1990s, Zastava was affected greatly by the Balkan Crisis. The factory production became unstable because of a problem with supplies. Exports were impossible during those years, because trade sanctions imposed on Yugoslavia. As a result, its cars disappeared from most foreign markets after 1992.
Between 1992 and 1995 it was under UN
sanctions, and then between 1998 and 2000 it was under EU and US sanctions. As a result, many of Zastava subsidiaries abroad were forced to cease trading, as it was the case with Zastava (GB) Ltd, in the United Kingdom, and Yugo Cars, in the United States.
In 1999, during the Kosovo War
, NATO bombed the Zastava Automobiles plant in Kragujevac
, Serbia because it was considered a threat since Zastava Arms
infrastructure was also located on site. Zastava Arms
makes rifles and pistols. Nevertheless, the bombing did not completely halt the production, as there were still three working shifts even during the height of NATO bombing (Zastava factory has operated continuously since it was built). Some of the car manufacturing buildings were damaged and numerous workers were injured.
are assembled in Hungary, near Pécs, with IVECO engines.
Yugos were face-lifted and new versions are introduced in the Belgrade International Motor Show in 2002. The new Yugo Koral IN had a 1,3l 80HP motor with BOSCH
electronic injection, the transmission designed by Porsche
, slightly new internal and external design, improved safety, and lots of extra details which were missing from former models.
The new generation of Yugo was granted a FIA certificate, so it was in compliance with European standards.
In October 2000, Vojislav Koštunica
became the new president of Yugoslavia (also a Yugo Koral owner) and soon after the sanctions against the country were lifted the export resumed. The production had fallen to a mere 9 percent of its pre-1990 230,000 vehicles annual capacity, with exports to around 4000 vehicles.
The new Yugoslav government a $50 million reorganization effort in cooperation with the World Bank
, which resulted in mass layoffs, and its intention to privatize the company.
A new prototype for the Yugo Florida, known as Florida 2.0, was made, equipped with the same engine as in Fiat Bravo 2.0.
, based on the Italian Fiat Punto
Mark 2b, is currently Zastava's most modern car.
Optional features include dual front airbags and air conditioning, as well as power windows. Although the Zastava 10 is Zastava's newest and best model, it faces fierce competition in its home market against cars like the Volkswagen Polo
. However, it has some advantages over many of its rivals, including price. As of December 2007, prices of the Zastava 10 start from Euro 7,550 in the Serbian market. In March 2007, the Zastava 10's share of the Serbian car market was 11% and the company started exporting cars to former Yugoslav republics in the first half of 2007 and, with plans to add to Bulgaria and Albania as well.
Production of all Zastava cars (Yugo, Skala 101 and Florida) has ended on or before November 20, 2008. After that day only car in production will be Zastava 10 which will change name to Punto.
CEO of Zastava cars Zoran Radojević has declared that the company has received offers from African countries for technology transfer. It is believed that Congo is interested in starting production of the Zastava Florida
and Egypt of the Zastava 128.
, who had previously imported Yugo into the United States, signed a deal with Zastava to re-introduce the company's products back into America. Bricklin's intention was to sell the cars for less than $10,000, under the brand name ZMW (as in Zastava Motor Works) which in the United States would, of course, be pronounced Zee-M-W. However, even though a website proclaiming the brand's arrival was produced by Bricklin's company, by 2006 his intentions had switched to importing products from Chinese car maker Chery
instead.
, Montenegro
, Croatia
, Macedonia
, Greece
, Bulgaria
, Lebanon
, Libya
, Syria
, Tunisia
, Poland
, and Egypt
(where Zastava cars are produced under the marque of the state owned Nasr car company).
In October 2005, an agreement with Fiat was reached for production of the Fiat Punto
by Zastava for Eastern Europe
an markets, which would be commercialed as the Zastava 10
. The Koral IN L, with a fuel injected 1.1 L Peugeot
engine, met the European Union
safety standards in a test supervised by the German Technischer Überwachungsverein
(Technical Monitoring Association). This may pave the way for export to E.U.
countries.
In addition to the Zastava 10, Zastava is currently negotiating with Fiat for the production rights to another model not yet in production, a C-segment sedan, codenamed Project D200, to be manufactured for Fiat by Zastava and/or Tofaş
of Turkey. It will compete with the Dacia Logan
.
Group Automobiles (FGA) unit has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Serbian government for the acquisition of Zastava's Kragujevac plant on 7 May 2008. The memorandum of understanding foresees a new company being set up in which the Italian group would have a 70% percent stake and the Serbian government retaining 30% percent.
The new company would make a total investment in the region of 700 million euros, with the government contributing 200 million euros to this.
The Zastava plant will produce two new Fiat models, rejecting recent reports the plant could produce the 500 compact city car.
The last Zastava branded car rolled out of the factory on November 21, 2008.
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n industrial conglomerate based in the city of Kragujevac
Kragujevac
Kragujevac is the fourth largest city in Serbia, the main city of the Šumadija region and the administrative centre of Šumadija District. It is situated on the banks of the Lepenica River...
in central Serbia, currently run as a joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
between the Fiat Group (67%) and the Serbian government (33%). It is most known for its Fiat-based automobiles, which began assembling in 1955 for Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
an markets. The firm also manufactures military and sporting small arms, most of them based on Russian and German design, under the name Zastava Arms
Zastava Arms
Zastava Arms is a Serbian manufacturer of firearms and artillery. It was founded in 1853 when it cast its first cannons. It is currently the leading producer of firearms in Serbia and is a large contributor to the local defence industry...
.
On 28 July 2008, Fiat signed a letter of intent, undertaking to take control of the automobile division, investing €700 million in return for a 70 percent stake in the company (currently owned by the state) and an additional €100 million of investment from the Serbian government
Government of Serbia
Officially the Government of the Republic of Serbia is the executive branch of government in Serbia.-Current government:The current government was elected on 7 July 2008 by the majority vote in the National Assembly of Serbia and restructured on 14 March 2011...
. This was later revised to €300 million. Fiat pledged not to cut any jobs and to make good a backlog in wage payments for employees and hinted that the plant may become a dedicated Fiat production site. With this major investment, production is set to reach 330 000 units by 2012.
Automotive history
The company is best known for its locally built versions of the Fiat 128Fiat 128
The Fiat 128 is a small family car manufactured by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1969 to 1985. The engine was designed by the famous Ferrari racing engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.-History:...
and Fiat 600
Fiat 600
The Fiat 600 is a city car produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1955 to 1969. Measuring only 3.22 m long, it was the first rear-engined Fiat and cost the equivalent of about € 6,700 or US$ 7300 in today's money . The total number produced from 1955 to 1969 at the Mirafiori...
.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Zastava sold its compact cars in North and South America and Western Europe under the "Yugo
Zastava Koral
The Zastava Koral , also known simply as the Yugo, was a subcompact car built by the Zastava corporation. The first Yugo 45 was handmade on 2 October 1978....
" brand. Its final model, the Yugo Sana
Zastava Florida
The Zastava Florida, also known as Yugo Sana, Yugo Miami or Yugo Florida, is a five door hatchback produced by the Serbian automaker Zastava introduced on 19 February 1987. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign. The car was produced in Serbia by Zastava and also in Helwan District in...
, was styled by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro is an Italian automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today...
and launched in 1990, but its production was cut short by the Yugoslav wars
Yugoslav wars
The Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...
. By the same time Yugo brand had disappeared from most Western markets by 1993. In 1999, the factory was destroyed by NATO bombing during the Kosovo War.
Like the Eastern bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
manufacturer AutoVAZ, maker of the Lada
Lada
Lada is a trademark of AvtoVAZ, a Russian car manufacturer in Tolyatti, Samara Oblast. All AvtoVAZ vehicles are currently sold under the Lada brand, though this was not always so; Lada was originally AvtoVAZ's export brand for models it sold under the Zhiguli name in the domestic Soviet market...
, the post-communist era has been difficult for Zastava as it failed to introduce new models for long time.
In September 2005, the company signed a new agreement with Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
to produce a version of the 2003 model Fiat Punto
Fiat Punto
The Fiat Punto is a supermini produced by the Italian manufacturer, Fiat, since 1993.-1st generation :Internally codenamed Project 176, the Punto was announced in September 1993 and launched in late 1993 as a replacement for the ageing Fiat Uno. The Fiat Punto was voted European Car of the Year...
for the Balkans under the name Zastava 10
Zastava 10
Zastava 10 is a car produced in Kragujevac, Serbia. It is based on the Italian Fiat Punto Mark 2b. It was produced between 2006 and December 21, 2008. On March 30, 2009, its name was changed to Fiat Punto Classic.-Car:...
, with capacity of 16000 Zastava 10
Zastava 10
Zastava 10 is a car produced in Kragujevac, Serbia. It is based on the Italian Fiat Punto Mark 2b. It was produced between 2006 and December 21, 2008. On March 30, 2009, its name was changed to Fiat Punto Classic.-Car:...
s yearly.
In December 2007 Serbia announced that Zastava would be privatized in April 2008.
Timeline
Origins
Kragujevac
Kragujevac is the fourth largest city in Serbia, the main city of the Šumadija region and the administrative centre of Šumadija District. It is situated on the banks of the Lepenica River...
of the Vojno-Tehnicki Zavod (Army Technical Institute). The institute developed a cannon foundry division in 1853, becoming a military vocational school in March 1854.
At the end of the 19th century the cannon foundry changed its name to the Military Engineering Works. The firm rapidly expanded its production program and the complexity and quality of its products.
The 1950s
After World War II, the plant was renamed Zavodi Crvena Zastava ("Red Flag Institutes"). In a referendum held on 26 August 1953, 96% of the employees of then Zavodi Crvena Zastava voiced their desire to produce automobiles. That year, 162 Willys JeepsWillys MB
The Willys MB US Army Jeep and the Ford GPW, were manufactured from 1941 to 1945. These small four-wheel drive utility vehicles are considered the iconic World War II Jeep, and inspired many similar light utility vehicles. Over the years, the World War II Jeep later evolved into the "CJ" civilian...
would leave Kragujevac lines.
On 12 August 1954 Zastava signed a cooperation agreement with Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
. Three months later, Kragujevac began assembling Fiat 1400
Fiat 1400
The Fiat 1400 is a model of car produced by Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat between 1950 and 1958. The car was introduced in 1950 Geneva Motor Show. It was the first chassisless Fiat automobile...
, Fiat 1100 B
Fiat 1100
The Fiat 1100 is a compact automobile produced from 1937 to 1969, by the Italian car maker Fiat.- Fiat 508C Nuova Balilla 1100 :The Fiat 1100 was first introduced in 1937 as an updated version of the 508 "Balilla" with a look similar to the 1936 Fiat 500 "Topolino" and the larger 1500, with the...
and Fiat AP-55 Campagnola
Fiat Campagnola
The Fiat Campagnola is a heavy-duty off-road vehicle produced by Fiat. Production started in 1951 and it was upgraded in 1974.Since 1975 it has been delivered to every Italian armed service in many versions with standard or long wheelbase and canvas or hard top.-Engines:-Fiat 1107 "Nuova...
.
Fiat 1400 was Zastava's first assembled automobile, but Fića
Zastava 750
The Zastava 750 was a car made by the Yugoslavian car maker Zavod Crvena Zastava. It was a version of the Fiat 600 made under licence from 1965, it was longer in length than the Fiat version. The Zastava 750 has a 767 cc engine and is the smallest car ever made by Zastava. Later on during...
Zastava's licence built version of Fiat 600
Fiat 600
The Fiat 600 is a city car produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1955 to 1969. Measuring only 3.22 m long, it was the first rear-engined Fiat and cost the equivalent of about € 6,700 or US$ 7300 in today's money . The total number produced from 1955 to 1969 at the Mirafiori...
is its iconic historical brand. 923487 of Zastava 750 were produced ower span of 30 years, with several different engines and in various equipment levels, from 18 October 1955 through 18 November 1985.
Total vehicle production in 1955 was 1044, by 1958 it rose to 3596. During 1957 and 1958 Zastava established a supplier network. Zastava outsourced engine manufacture to Rakovica
Rakovica
Rakovica can refer to:* Rakovica, Belgrade, an urban neighborhood and a municipality of Belgrade, Serbia* Selo Rakovica, an urban neighborhood of Belgrade in the municipality of Voždovac* Rakovica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a village near Ilidža, Bosnia...
-based engine manufacturer 25. Maj (DMB).
The 1960s
Zastava's annual production climbed to 13,719 units in 1960. The company entered the new decade with a replacement for the 1400: Fiat's 1100, shown in Geneva as the successor to the 1100 B.With the advent of the 1961 1300 and 1500 came Zastava's 1300/ 1500 series, produced as both sedans and wagons. With all-around disc brakes, rear-wheel-drive and up to 72 horsepower, the "tristać" was Yugoslavia's favorite upmarket car. Today, many across the former Yugoslavia recall the 1300 as Zastava's best automobile ever: the Jugoslovenski Mercedes, they call it. 201,160 copies of the 1300 and 1500 were produced from 1961 through December 20th, 1979.
The fića had started life as the 16 kW 633 cc Fiat 600
Fiat 600
The Fiat 600 is a city car produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1955 to 1969. Measuring only 3.22 m long, it was the first rear-engined Fiat and cost the equivalent of about € 6,700 or US$ 7300 in today's money . The total number produced from 1955 to 1969 at the Mirafiori...
, designed by legendary Fiat engineer Dante Giacosa
Dante Giacosa
Dante Giacosa was an Italian car designer. His work covered a large range from minicars to sports cars, using all the different layouts as and when they were the best solution at the time to meet the design parameters....
. In 1962, Zastava began production of the Fiat 600D, badged Zastava 750, boasting an 18 kW 767 cc engine capable of propelling the car to 110 kilometres per hour (68.4 mph).
The floorpan of the 1300/ 1500 was used as the basis for the Polski-Fiat 125p, which was produced by Polish FSO from Zastava CKD kits. The 125p was created by mating the body of the Fiat 125 to the mechanicals (engines, gearbox, transmission and suspension) of the 1300 and 1500. On the Yugoslav market, the 125p was known as the Zastava 125PZ.
1965 marked the official beginning of Zastava exports, with 6,000 cars sent to Poland.
In 1967, Zastava produced about 52,000 trucks and passenger cars; in 1968, 53,000.
Zastava in this decade signed a new contract expanding production and technological cooperation with Fiat. A $10 million investment pushed annual capacity to 85,000, with plans in place to reach 130,000 units within a five-year period.
In 1969, the Zastava Kamioni (Zastava Trucks) division split from Zastava Automobili and began producing Italy's Om trucks, rated for between 2.5 and 4 tons. Today, Zastava Kamioni continues to make trucks through a partnership with Iveco.
The 1970s
In the beginning of the seventies Zastava made arrangement with Fiat to produce Zastava 101 (4cyl, 1116 cc OHC, 55 hp, front wheel drive), which was based on Fiat 128
Fiat 128
The Fiat 128 is a small family car manufactured by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1969 to 1985. The engine was designed by the famous Ferrari racing engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.-History:...
. It had restyled rear panel and resembled a hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
body style. This 3 and 5 door variant of Fiat 128 was specific to Zastava and was never released elsewhere by Fiat.
It was said that model 101 should be produced in Yugoslavia for both Yugoslav and Italian market, and vice versa, in the Italian market would have been sold under the marque Innocenti
Innocenti
Innocenti was an Italian machinery works originally established by Ferdinando Innocenti in 1920.After World War II, the company was famous for many years for Lambretta scooters models such as LI125, LI150, TV175, TV200, SX125, SX150, SX200, GP125, GP150 and GP200.From 1961 to 1976 Innocenti built...
. It was soon nicknamed Stojadin as a pun on sto jedan (101) (Stojadin is a male name, although folk etymology also associates it with sto jada, "a hundred woes", due to the poor performance and assembling). In spite of this negative record, the car was a good seller in the domestic market as there was a virtual monopoly. Yugoslavs used to buy it because of its moderate price, simple mechanics, cheap spare parts and low maintenance cost compared to other cars assembled in Yugoslavia.
In 1979, Zastava 750S - (Special) was released which offered updated interior controls and switches, a new steering wheel and a sportier 22 kW engine which raised the car's top speed to 120 kilometres per hour (74.6 mph).
The 1980s
Tofas
Tofaş is a Turkish automaker, based in Bursa, Turkey, where also a plant of the company is located. It builds Fiat models under license and also some locally-designed vehicles...
factory in Turkey. Tofaş continued to produce these cars under Zastava license into the '90s.
In the mid-seventies, Zastava management decided to develop a new model, still based on the same Fiat engine. It was originally to be known as Zastava 102, but the name was dropped in 1981 and the car released as Yugo 45. It was styled by Zastava with some help from Fiat engineers. It was an updated body version of Fiat 127
Fiat 127
The Fiat 127 is a supermini produced by the Italian automaker Fiat between 1971 and 1983. It was introduced in 1971 as the replacement for the Fiat 850...
with some elements of Fiat 128
Fiat 128
The Fiat 128 is a small family car manufactured by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1969 to 1985. The engine was designed by the famous Ferrari racing engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.-History:...
and it followed the style of the Autobianchi A112
Autobianchi A112
The Autobianchi A112 is a supermini produced by the Italian automaker Autobianchi. It was developed using the mechanicals which subsequently underpinned the Fiat 127. It was introduced in 1969, as a replacement for the Bianchina and Primula, and was built until 1986, when it made way for the more...
but with a more square appearance. Several variants were made, with 903 cc, 1116 cc, and 1301 cc engines.
These were Zastava's best years in number of cars assembled, around 230,000 cars a year. Zastava cars were to be sold in 70 countries at the time, with 27,000 exported to Western markets. The factory also started to make truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
s, under IVECO
Iveco
Iveco, an acronym for Industrial Vehicle Corporation, originally an alliance of European commercial vehicle manufacturers such as Fiat , Unic and Magirus. Iveco is now an Italian truck, bus, and diesel engine manufacturer, based in Turin...
licence.
The 1990s
In 1988 a new model was released called the Zastava FloridaZastava Florida
The Zastava Florida, also known as Yugo Sana, Yugo Miami or Yugo Florida, is a five door hatchback produced by the Serbian automaker Zastava introduced on 19 February 1987. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign. The car was produced in Serbia by Zastava and also in Helwan District in...
(known as Yugo Sana or Yugo Sana Miami, in some countries). Its exterior was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro is an Italian automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today...
, with a body shape similar to a Fiat Tipo
Fiat Tipo
The Fiat Tipo is a small family car designed by the IDEA design house and produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1988 and 1995.The Tipo was initially available only as a five-door hatchback. The car was made entirely out of galvanized body panels to avoid rust, and was built on a...
or Citroën ZX
Citroën ZX
The Citroën ZX is a small family car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1991 and 1998.During the 1990s, the ZX was Citroën's competitor in the class traditionally dominated in Europe by the Ford Escort and Vauxhall/Opel Astra, a market segment Citroën had moved away from when the...
.
In the early 1990s, Zastava was affected greatly by the Balkan Crisis. The factory production became unstable because of a problem with supplies. Exports were impossible during those years, because trade sanctions imposed on Yugoslavia. As a result, its cars disappeared from most foreign markets after 1992.
Between 1992 and 1995 it was under UN
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
sanctions, and then between 1998 and 2000 it was under EU and US sanctions. As a result, many of Zastava subsidiaries abroad were forced to cease trading, as it was the case with Zastava (GB) Ltd, in the United Kingdom, and Yugo Cars, in the United States.
In 1999, during the Kosovo War
Kosovo War
The term Kosovo War or Kosovo conflict was two sequential, and at times parallel, armed conflicts in Kosovo province, then part of FR Yugoslav Republic of Serbia; from early 1998 to 1999, there was an armed conflict initiated by the ethnic Albanian "Kosovo Liberation Army" , who sought independence...
, NATO bombed the Zastava Automobiles plant in Kragujevac
Kragujevac
Kragujevac is the fourth largest city in Serbia, the main city of the Šumadija region and the administrative centre of Šumadija District. It is situated on the banks of the Lepenica River...
, Serbia because it was considered a threat since Zastava Arms
Zastava Arms
Zastava Arms is a Serbian manufacturer of firearms and artillery. It was founded in 1853 when it cast its first cannons. It is currently the leading producer of firearms in Serbia and is a large contributor to the local defence industry...
infrastructure was also located on site. Zastava Arms
Zastava Arms
Zastava Arms is a Serbian manufacturer of firearms and artillery. It was founded in 1853 when it cast its first cannons. It is currently the leading producer of firearms in Serbia and is a large contributor to the local defence industry...
makes rifles and pistols. Nevertheless, the bombing did not completely halt the production, as there were still three working shifts even during the height of NATO bombing (Zastava factory has operated continuously since it was built). Some of the car manufacturing buildings were damaged and numerous workers were injured.
The 2000s
After the war, there were trade talks with Hungarian firms to assemble Yugos in Hungary, but no agreement was reached because of the Yugoslavian partner's hesitation. However, Zastava TrucksZastava Trucks
Zastava Trucks is a Serbian truck manufacturer based in the city of Kragujevac. The company is a part of the Zastava corporation.-History:...
are assembled in Hungary, near Pécs, with IVECO engines.
Yugos were face-lifted and new versions are introduced in the Belgrade International Motor Show in 2002. The new Yugo Koral IN had a 1,3l 80HP motor with BOSCH
Bosch
Bosch is a popular surname in Catalan and Dutch; it means forest. It may refer to:Buildings:*Huis ten Bosch, an official palace of the Dutch Royal Family in The Hague, Netherlands*Bosch Palace, the official residence of the U.S...
electronic injection, the transmission designed by Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
, slightly new internal and external design, improved safety, and lots of extra details which were missing from former models.
The new generation of Yugo was granted a FIA certificate, so it was in compliance with European standards.
In October 2000, Vojislav Koštunica
Vojislav Koštunica
Vojislav Koštunica is a Serbian politician, statesman and the president of the Democratic Party of Serbia. He was the last President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, succeeding Slobodan Milošević and serving from 2000 to 2003...
became the new president of Yugoslavia (also a Yugo Koral owner) and soon after the sanctions against the country were lifted the export resumed. The production had fallen to a mere 9 percent of its pre-1990 230,000 vehicles annual capacity, with exports to around 4000 vehicles.
The new Yugoslav government a $50 million reorganization effort in cooperation with the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, which resulted in mass layoffs, and its intention to privatize the company.
A new prototype for the Yugo Florida, known as Florida 2.0, was made, equipped with the same engine as in Fiat Bravo 2.0.
2005 onwards
The Zastava 10Zastava 10
Zastava 10 is a car produced in Kragujevac, Serbia. It is based on the Italian Fiat Punto Mark 2b. It was produced between 2006 and December 21, 2008. On March 30, 2009, its name was changed to Fiat Punto Classic.-Car:...
, based on the Italian Fiat Punto
Fiat Punto
The Fiat Punto is a supermini produced by the Italian manufacturer, Fiat, since 1993.-1st generation :Internally codenamed Project 176, the Punto was announced in September 1993 and launched in late 1993 as a replacement for the ageing Fiat Uno. The Fiat Punto was voted European Car of the Year...
Mark 2b, is currently Zastava's most modern car.
Optional features include dual front airbags and air conditioning, as well as power windows. Although the Zastava 10 is Zastava's newest and best model, it faces fierce competition in its home market against cars like the Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car manufactured by Volkswagen. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, saloon, coupé and estate variants....
. However, it has some advantages over many of its rivals, including price. As of December 2007, prices of the Zastava 10 start from Euro 7,550 in the Serbian market. In March 2007, the Zastava 10's share of the Serbian car market was 11% and the company started exporting cars to former Yugoslav republics in the first half of 2007 and, with plans to add to Bulgaria and Albania as well.
Production of all Zastava cars (Yugo, Skala 101 and Florida) has ended on or before November 20, 2008. After that day only car in production will be Zastava 10 which will change name to Punto.
CEO of Zastava cars Zoran Radojević has declared that the company has received offers from African countries for technology transfer. It is believed that Congo is interested in starting production of the Zastava Florida
Zastava Florida
The Zastava Florida, also known as Yugo Sana, Yugo Miami or Yugo Florida, is a five door hatchback produced by the Serbian automaker Zastava introduced on 19 February 1987. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign. The car was produced in Serbia by Zastava and also in Helwan District in...
and Egypt of the Zastava 128.
Cancelled project: Zastava Motor Works (ZMW)
In 2002 the American entrepreneur Malcolm BricklinMalcolm Bricklin
Malcolm Bricklin born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an automotive entrepreneur. He is best known for his self-named automobile company, and for being one of the few Americans who has successfully introduced foreign cars in bulk to the American public from firms such as Subaru, Fiat and...
, who had previously imported Yugo into the United States, signed a deal with Zastava to re-introduce the company's products back into America. Bricklin's intention was to sell the cars for less than $10,000, under the brand name ZMW (as in Zastava Motor Works) which in the United States would, of course, be pronounced Zee-M-W. However, even though a website proclaiming the brand's arrival was produced by Bricklin's company, by 2006 his intentions had switched to importing products from Chinese car maker Chery
Chéry
Chéry is a commune in the Cher department in the Centre region of France.-Geography:An area of farming and forestry, comprising the main village and a hamlet, situated in the valley of the river Arnon some south of Vierzon, at the junction of the D75, D165 and the D68 roads.-Population:-External...
instead.
Zastava influence
Zastava automobiles have been sold and exported in SerbiaSerbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
(where Zastava cars are produced under the marque of the state owned Nasr car company).
In October 2005, an agreement with Fiat was reached for production of the Fiat Punto
Fiat Punto
The Fiat Punto is a supermini produced by the Italian manufacturer, Fiat, since 1993.-1st generation :Internally codenamed Project 176, the Punto was announced in September 1993 and launched in late 1993 as a replacement for the ageing Fiat Uno. The Fiat Punto was voted European Car of the Year...
by Zastava for Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
an markets, which would be commercialed as the Zastava 10
Zastava 10
Zastava 10 is a car produced in Kragujevac, Serbia. It is based on the Italian Fiat Punto Mark 2b. It was produced between 2006 and December 21, 2008. On March 30, 2009, its name was changed to Fiat Punto Classic.-Car:...
. The Koral IN L, with a fuel injected 1.1 L Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
engine, met the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
safety standards in a test supervised by the German Technischer Überwachungsverein
Technischer Überwachungsverein
TÜVs are German organizations that work to validate the safety of products of all kinds to protect humans and the environment against hazards. As independent consultants, they examine plants, motor vehicles, energy installations, devices and products TÜVs (short for Technischer...
(Technical Monitoring Association). This may pave the way for export to E.U.
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
countries.
In addition to the Zastava 10, Zastava is currently negotiating with Fiat for the production rights to another model not yet in production, a C-segment sedan, codenamed Project D200, to be manufactured for Fiat by Zastava and/or Tofaş
Tofas
Tofaş is a Turkish automaker, based in Bursa, Turkey, where also a plant of the company is located. It builds Fiat models under license and also some locally-designed vehicles...
of Turkey. It will compete with the Dacia Logan
Dacia Logan
The Dacia Logan is a small family car car produced jointly by the French manufacturer Renault and its subsidiary Dacia of Romania. It is manufactured at Dacia's automobile plant in Mioveni, Romania, and in Colombia, Brazil, Russia, Morocco, Iran, India and South Africa...
.
2008 memorandum of understanding between Fiat and Zastava
FiatFiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
Group Automobiles (FGA) unit has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Serbian government for the acquisition of Zastava's Kragujevac plant on 7 May 2008. The memorandum of understanding foresees a new company being set up in which the Italian group would have a 70% percent stake and the Serbian government retaining 30% percent.
The new company would make a total investment in the region of 700 million euros, with the government contributing 200 million euros to this.
The Zastava plant will produce two new Fiat models, rejecting recent reports the plant could produce the 500 compact city car.
The last Zastava branded car rolled out of the factory on November 21, 2008.
List of Zastava vehicles
Cars produced by the Zastava factory in Kragujevac (in Serbia) :- Fiat CampagnolaFiat CampagnolaThe Fiat Campagnola is a heavy-duty off-road vehicle produced by Fiat. Production started in 1951 and it was upgraded in 1974.Since 1975 it has been delivered to every Italian armed service in many versions with standard or long wheelbase and canvas or hard top.-Engines:-Fiat 1107 "Nuova...
- 1953-1962. 9,089 built without modification. - Fiat 1400Fiat 1400The Fiat 1400 is a model of car produced by Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat between 1950 and 1958. The car was introduced in 1950 Geneva Motor Show. It was the first chassisless Fiat automobile...
- 1954-1961, without modification. - Fiat 1100Fiat 1100The Fiat 1100 is a compact automobile produced from 1937 to 1969, by the Italian car maker Fiat.- Fiat 508C Nuova Balilla 1100 :The Fiat 1100 was first introduced in 1937 as an updated version of the 508 "Balilla" with a look similar to the 1936 Fiat 500 "Topolino" and the larger 1500, with the...
R - thousands produced. - Zastava 750Zastava 750The Zastava 750 was a car made by the Yugoslavian car maker Zavod Crvena Zastava. It was a version of the Fiat 600 made under licence from 1965, it was longer in length than the Fiat version. The Zastava 750 has a 767 cc engine and is the smallest car ever made by Zastava. Later on during...
(later 850), nicknamed "Fićo", 1955-1984. 923,487 produced with some modification. - Fiat 615 - medium truck produced by Zastava KamioniZastava TrucksZastava Trucks is a Serbian truck manufacturer based in the city of Kragujevac. The company is a part of the Zastava corporation.-History:...
from 1957-?. 36,000 built. - Fiat 1300/1500Fiat 1300/1500The Fiat 1300 and Fiat 1500 are large family cars manufactured by the Italian automaker Fiat Auto from 1961 to 1967, which replaced the Fiat 1200. The 1300 and 1500 were essentially identical except for engine displacement, as indicated by model names...
- 1962-1979. 201,160 without modification. - Fiat 850Fiat 850The Fiat 850 is a small longitudinal-rear-engined rear wheel drive car which was produced between 1964 and 1973.-Overview:Its technical design was an evolution of the very successful Fiat 600. The internal name for the Fiat 600 development project was "Project 100" and consequently, the internal...
- thousands produced. - Fiat-OM 40 - 1969-?
- Zastava 101 - Fiat 128 based with many body modifications. 1971-2008. 1,273,532 built. Many built in Egypt by Nasr.
- Zastava SkalaZastava SkalaZastava or Yugo Skala is a generic name for a family of cars built by Serbian manufacturer Zastava Automobili. Based on a Fiat 128 sedan, it was introduced in 1971 and sold as Zastava 128 with a restyled rear panel...
- 1980-2008 - Yugo 45 - 1980-2008. 750,000 built. More than 150,000 cabrios exported to the USA. Global production: 794,428.
- Fiat Daily - 1991-? IVECOIvecoIveco, an acronym for Industrial Vehicle Corporation, originally an alliance of European commercial vehicle manufacturers such as Fiat , Unic and Magirus. Iveco is now an Italian truck, bus, and diesel engine manufacturer, based in Turin...
owns 46% of Zastava Kamioni. - Zastava FloridaZastava FloridaThe Zastava Florida, also known as Yugo Sana, Yugo Miami or Yugo Florida, is a five door hatchback produced by the Serbian automaker Zastava introduced on 19 February 1987. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign. The car was produced in Serbia by Zastava and also in Helwan District in...
- ceased in November 2008, more than 160,000 units built. 29,950 second series built. - Zastava Z10Zastava 10Zastava 10 is a car produced in Kragujevac, Serbia. It is based on the Italian Fiat Punto Mark 2b. It was produced between 2006 and December 21, 2008. On March 30, 2009, its name was changed to Fiat Punto Classic.-Car:...
. Production started in 2006; 100 units daily.
See also
- Zastava TrucksZastava TrucksZastava Trucks is a Serbian truck manufacturer based in the city of Kragujevac. The company is a part of the Zastava corporation.-History:...
- List of Serbian companies
- List of automobile manufacturers