,
the first VAZ-2101 vehicles were assembled at the factory while the construction
of the factory was still in progress. This day has another name, which is more
popular among people working at AVTOVAZ, - "A birthday of the first vehicle".
This date reflects a tribute to the traditions, established more than three
decades ago, and special hearty attitude towards VAZ. As usually, most of the
VAZ workers celebrate this date at their work places - at the assembly line.
That is why the group of vehicles, the leader of which, VAZ-2101, was marked
by the words: "This is my day today" and "Russian car of the century", met the
workers. So, the holiday atmosphere was all around - in every production division
from the early hours. The major events took place in the hall of the administrative building. The first VAZ-2101, established on the second floor, was decorated with colored balloons and flowers. VAZ veterans and winners of the factory competition "100 best workers" were invited to participate in celebration of the 31 Anniversary of the first VAZ vehicle. Some of the AVTOVAZ top-managers congratulated the workers personally: Yuri Stepanov, Vice-President Personnel, called veterans and best workers "the labor elite"; Alexander Pugach, President of the Labor Counsil said the following:
- All the holidays, celebrated at AVTOVAZ, represent the major result of the work, done by thousands of people. Today we work under the conditions of high production capacity. The work of the factory is stable and provides the prosperity of the whole city.