Why (I think) the Lada is becoming extinct

The Zhiguli, known to ignorant westerners like me as the Lada, just keeps on keeping on. Although not in overwhelming numbers any more, it is still quite possible to see several on Russian streets.

But the humble Zhiguli is disappearing. Not because they stop working – those things don’t seem to die. Forty years into a work horse life, they just need a whack with a tyre wrench in the right spot and they fire up.

No, the tragic end lies on the scrap heap.

I have come to the conclusion that Ladas are driven by two sorts of people. I have done no official analysis – just looked through car windows and made very prejudicial assumptions.

It seems to me, that Zhigulis are either driven by respectable elderly folk (who have polished their pride and joy weekly since they reached the coveted top position of ‘the list’ that let them buy a car back in the Soviet Day). or they are driven by young(ish) guys, who probably bought them from the estates of the former and can’t afford more (this assumption based on the number of exorbitant car loans in Russia and the disproportionately high number of luxury cars to average salaries). Unfortunately, it also seems that a disproportionate number of this latter group fall into the category of what I’d call hoons.

And this is why I think the Lada is becoming extinct.

They are lovingly cherished for years, only to die an untimely death in an ‘at fault’ collision. This too being based on the anecdotal evidence of my personal observation – data collated in my head of the dozens and dozens and dozens of collisions I have driven by since moving to Siberia. Zhigulis seem to be overly represented in nasty, nasty crashes (as do the ridiculous number of right hand drive vehicles here, but that’s another story).

Yesterday I had first hand evidence of my theory played out in front of my eyes. And recorded for you, thanks to the trusty Russian Dash Cam!

We were driving through the centre of town and our light had turned green. The bus next to me attempted to drag me off, all cylinders firing (I think it’s a prerequisite for bus drivers here), but I hesitated to go. I just had a prompting not to, and I’ve learnt to listen to those. Moments ago I had also backed up a bit further from the intersection as the lights had changed while our nose was still in it, and I could not complete the crossing due to traffic.

Next thing I know, a Zhiguli has ploughed into the side of the bus. Right. In. Front. Of. Us.

Praise God it was not INTO us. It was a scary thing to see, but tragically not uncommon. Thank you so much to those of you who pray for our safety on the roads here. They are not for the faint-hearted.
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Five VERY lucky young men managed to walk out of the wreck, although not without injuries. One with quite a bad head injury (wear your seat belt!!).

And one more Lada on the scrap heap.

https://youtu.be/1wMNcbj_AqY

You can fast forward to about 1.30 (I just left the earlier stuff in to show how far we were into the intersection before this occurred.) If you play it in slow motion, you can see more of how much impact this crash had. Ouch!

 

 

Photo of Ladas from Ria Novosti

It’s in Russian, but this shows the history of the Lada to the modern day:

http://carobka.ru/cars/history/lada/