Lada

If you visit Երևան, Armenia, you will see all types of cars from different vendors and countries. You might even have a taxi ride in a car that was built for driving on the left side of the road – feels a bit strange as in Armenia you have to drive on the right side. What you will see very often are Russian Lada cars know to be nearly undestroyable and which can be easily repaired. This reflects the strong bonds Armenia and Russia had in the past during the times of the Soviet Union – but also still today.

The Lada was produced by a company called AvtoVAZ which was a ‘joint venture’ of the Soviet department of foreign trade and the Italian car producer Fiat. It was created in 1965 and has built a large number of cheap but reliable cars. Today it belongs to the French car producer Renault. The word Lada refers to the Russian word ladya meaning ‘small boat’ – if you take a look at the logo you will also see a ship. While being at Երևան I had the chance to have a ride in a Lada taxi – a Greek driver in a Russian car on Armenian roads with a German passenger; an interesting ride.

Երևան, Հայաստան
Yerevan, Armenia