Russia's tin can on wheels trundles our way again
Those who drove them always pointed out how cheap they were to buy. Everyone else made jokes about tin cans on wheels.
Now, after a 13-year absence, the Lada is coming back to Britain.
The byword for budget motoring from the 1980s is being relaunched within the next two years as a credit-crunch cruiser.
Now, after a 13-year absence, the Lada is coming back to Britain
This time, Soviet Russia's infamous car for the masses will be backed by Renault's money and expertise.
Lada (UK) closed in 1997, and until now the cars have only been available as imports.
The new version is one of a number of cheap cars likely to be on sale for less than ?5,000, undercutting some budget brands from Japan and Korea which have done well in the economic downturn.
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what do you call a lada with a sunroof ? a skip
Many of the newcomers were originally produced for emerging nations.
Renault is also backing Romanian firm Dacia which will have two budget models - the Sandero hatch and Logan saloon - for around ?5,000 here within two years, the company told motoring magazine Auto Express.
But the race to get the budget models into Britain is likely to be won by the Indian company Tata, which produces the world's cheapest car, India's ?1,500 Nano.
The British version, which requires higher safety standards, will be around ?4,500 when it comes out next year.
The Great Wall company of China is also hoping to launch its Hover5 model through the British network of Daihatsu dealerships.
Steve Norman, vice president of Renault, said: 'The UK was one of the few markets where Lada was a success.
'I'm confident the time is right to bring it back. The Chinese won't get in before us. But they will become a threat between 2012-2015.'
Like Ladas, the Czech-built Skodas were ridiculed for years until VW took over the firm - and they became one of the most soughtafter cars on the road.
Those who drove them always pointed out how cheap they were to buy. Everyone else made jokes about tin cans on wheels.
Now, after a 13-year absence, the Lada is coming back to Britain.
The byword for budget motoring from the 1980s is being relaunched within the next two years as a credit-crunch cruiser.
Now, after a 13-year absence, the Lada is coming back to BritainThis time, Soviet Russia's infamous car for the masses will be backed by Renault's money and expertise.
Lada (UK) closed in 1997, and until now the cars have only been available as imports.
The new version is one of a number of cheap cars likely to be on sale for less than ?5,000, undercutting some budget brands from Japan and Korea which have done well in the economic downturn.
Enlarge
what do you call a lada with a sunroof ? a skip
Many of the newcomers were originally produced for emerging nations.
Renault is also backing Romanian firm Dacia which will have two budget models - the Sandero hatch and Logan saloon - for around ?5,000 here within two years, the company told motoring magazine Auto Express.
But the race to get the budget models into Britain is likely to be won by the Indian company Tata, which produces the world's cheapest car, India's ?1,500 Nano.
The British version, which requires higher safety standards, will be around ?4,500 when it comes out next year.
The Great Wall company of China is also hoping to launch its Hover5 model through the British network of Daihatsu dealerships.
Steve Norman, vice president of Renault, said: 'The UK was one of the few markets where Lada was a success.
'I'm confident the time is right to bring it back. The Chinese won't get in before us. But they will become a threat between 2012-2015.'
Like Ladas, the Czech-built Skodas were ridiculed for years until VW took over the firm - and they became one of the most soughtafter cars on the road.
) These were a 'same priciple' as fuel injection, instead of a HIGH PRESSURE squirt, it was a low pressure (mechanical fuel pump 
) dribble, dribble of fuel.
, this was controlled
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