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In an effort to demonstrate that a state-run economy could produce a competitive automotive industry, the Soviets embarked on a grandiose plan. They sought to create a hierarchy of car brands, stretching from utilitarian vehicles to luxurious cars designed for the elite, despite not fully grasping the genuine market demands for such products.
Establishing the Soviet Automotive Industry
Prior to the Cold War, the Soviet Union’s automotive production was minimal and largely based on surplus trucks and foreign models. However, the post-war era saw the establishment of various automobile factories aimed at producing cars that would showcase the USSR's industrial capabilities. Factories were often named after their locations or prominent figures, such as the Gorki Automobile Plant (GAZ).