Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant UAZ

The Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant is the leader in the Russian market for the production of SUVs, which under the UAZ brand are known not only in the Russian Federation, but also beyond its borders. The company also produces light trucks and all-wheel drive minibuses. During its activities, the plant produced more than 4.5 million cars, sent 600 thousand cars for export to 100 countries of the world, about 50 thousand units of equipment leave its conveyors annually. Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant is part of the Sollers holding .

Performance indicators

2022: 4.6% sales growth

UAZ car sales in 2022 increased by 4.6% compared to 2021 and exceeded 33 thousand units. This was announced on March 24, 2023 in the office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, curator of the Volga Federal District Dmitry Chernyshenko following his visit to the UAZ plant and museum.

The apparatus explained that despite foreign economic conditions, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant managed to achieve growth, including through the introduction of domestic industrial software at the enterprise.

According to the Association of European Businesses (AEB), in 2022 UAZ sold a total of 33,906 cars, including 15,146 classic commercial UAZ vehicles and 10,612 UAZ Patriot SUVs. At the end of 2022, the market share of the Ulyanovsk brand in the Russian car market increased 2.6 times and amounted to 4.9%, according to AEB data.

The most successful month for the brand was December 2022. The company handed over 10,753 cars to Russian users, which is 209% more than the final month of 2021. UAZ "Patriot" chose 4027 customers, building an SUV on the third line of the pedestal of the best-selling models in Russia. This result brought the Ulyanovsk brand to second place in the top sales among all automotive companies in the country and made it possible to occupy a record market share of 16.8%, the UAZ said in a statement.

According to the governor of the Ulyanovsk region Alexei Russkikh, in 2022 the UAZ produced about 35 thousand cars. He also spoke in March 2023 that it is a priority for the regional authorities to support the automobile plant, especially in the new economic conditions.

There are significant successes in terms of import substitution of both components in production and digital process control solutions. UAZ is actively introducing domestic IT solutions, which ultimately has a positive effect on the plant's development indicators, Russkikh said.Dmitry Chernyshenko instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Digital Development to prepare proposals to subsidize part of the costs of enterprises for the introduction of Russian software

2021: Production growth of 16.7% to 41,422 vehicles

In 2021, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (UAZ) produced 41,422 cars, which is 16.7% more than a year earlier. In absolute terms, the volume of vehicle output increased by 6941 units. The press service of the enterprise disclosed such data on January 19, 2022.

According to the published statistics, at the end of 2021, 15,346 UAZ Patriot SUVs were assembled at the Ulyanovsk enterprise - 10% more than a year earlier. A third of the total production of the model came from versions with an automatic transmission. Almost twice a year by year, to 4,996, the production of the commercial model "UAZ Profi" increased.

Another positive result for UAZ in 2021 was significantly increased export supplies. Of the total production for export needs, 5,703 cars were produced, including 1,717 units for non-CIS markets and 3986 for neighboring markets.

2021 was not an easy year for everyone in the world. The difficult economic situation, provoked primarily by the ongoing pandemic, noticeably affected the business climate, but in these difficult conditions, UAZ not only did not allow a reduction in production, but also increased it, - said the executive director of UAZ Alexei Spirin.

According to him, despite the shortage of chips in 2021, UAZ was able to manufacture more than 40 thousand cars and come close to the results of the pre-pandemic 2019 (the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic began in early 2020). The production plan of the plant for 2022 is designed to improve the indicators of 2021 in all aspects of the business, Spirin said.

According to the Association of European Businesses (AEB), in 2021, 32.42 thousand UAZ cars were sold in Russia, which is 11.1% less than a year earlier. By 2019, the decline was 16.6%.^[1]

Digital transformation

2017-2018: Technologies for Digital Manufacturing (Digital UAZ)

• In the car 7.5 thousand components and materials
• 50% of components have analogues
• During the assembly of the Patriot SUV, 1.5 thousand technological operations are carried out
• 1,000 + shop pantries
• 6,000 + documents of materials movements per day
• UAZ works with 800 + suppliers
• Assembly time of the Patriot SUV on the main conveyor - 40 minutes
• Conveyor clock time - every 3 minutes the car leaves

Objective: To develop a sound transformation strategy for UAZ LLC based on the principles of digital production using the methodology for assessing the maturity level of digital technologies Siemens Lifecycle DNA

• The materials of the presentation "Technologies for digital production: experience of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant" Stupin Evgeny Yuryevich, Information Technology Director, 2019 were used.

History

2024

Introduction of industrial robots for painting cars

The Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (UAZ) in November 2024 completed the modernization of the paint complex by introducing an electrostatic method for applying soil by industrial robots. Updating the technological process is aimed at improving the quality of the paint coating of cars.

According to the Quto.ru, the modernization of production is associated with the preparation for the release of a new line of pickups under the Sollers brand, which includes ST6, ST8 and ST9 models. The assembly of cabins for these cars will be carried out on the same line where the Patriot, Pickup and Pro models are produced.

UAZ began using industrial robots to paint cars

Alexey Spirin, General Director of the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, stressed that the introduction of electrostatic painting technology will replace the outdated aerostatic method previously used by painters.

The process of applying a protective coating to the body involves two stages of priming: the primary soil is applied in a cataphoresis bath, and the secondary is sprayed by robotic systems using new technology.

The company continues a comprehensive program of technical re-equipment. In preparation for the start of production of new models, the plant is re-equipping production lines and introducing modern technological solutions.

The updated paint technology will be applied to both the new Sollers pickup line and the existing UAZ range. The modernization will affect the production process of all cars produced at the enterprise.

In parallel with the technical re-equipment, the plant is preparing an update to the Patriot model, which includes a number of point changes in the design and design of the car. Technological improvements in the paint shop will ensure a higher quality paint coating of the updated model.^[2]

Introduction of exoskeletons at the plant

At the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (UAZ), tests began on industrial exoskeletons designed to facilitate the work of employees when carrying heavy loads and performing physically complex operations. The introduction of new technology that will help reduce the burden on the back of workers began in September 2024. Exoskeletons were tested by employees of the plant's logistics department, and they have already noted a significant decrease in fatigue and improved working conditions.

According to Izvestia, the exoskeletons that were introduced at the UAZ are designed to support the backs of employees with constant tilts and lifts of heavy objects. The industrial model of this device works due to power elements that redistribute the load from the muscles of the back, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and overloads. Exoskeletons allow you to maintain freedom of movement and increase the comfort of workers when performing difficult tasks.

UAZ introduced an exoskeleton

Tests of exoskeletons at the plant are carried out as part of a program to improve working conditions and improve productivity. According to the source of the publication, after the completion of testing, a decision will be made on the full-scale implementation of these devices at the production sites of UAZ. The innovation is expected to be part of a broader enterprise modernization program aimed at improving working conditions and employee safety.

The use of exoskeletons at production enterprises allows not only to reduce the risk of occupational diseases and injuries among employees, but also to increase overall productivity by reducing fatigue. Industrial exoskeletons are already being used at a number of large factories around the world, and their introduction at UAZ could be an important step to improve operational efficiency and working conditions.^[3][4]

2023

Attracting 3 billion investments from Sollers

Sollers will invest 3 billion rubles in the production of commercial cars at the UAZ site. The corresponding agreement, as reported by the Sollers press service on July 10, 2023, was signed with the government of the Ulyanovsk region. Read more here.

Development of exports to Bolivia

UAZ announced on March 16, 2023 that it continues to strengthen cooperation with South American countries. Bolivia will be the first export market of the brand in the region, which will switch to settlements for the supply of brand cars in ruble equivalent.

This time, within the framework of the cooperation initiated in 2016, the Patriot Expedition models, the Class B ASMP and the Pro-based APP firefighter, as well as the classic commercial Pros, were delivered to the country. It is noteworthy that in the near future the partnership with UAZ Bolivia LtdA will move to a different qualitative level - thanks to the developed banking mechanism, settlements will begin to be made in rubles. The changed form of payment will significantly simplify interaction with the Bolivian side and in the foreseeable future will help strengthen the brand's presence in the region where all-wheel drive UAZs are well-deserved popularity.

UAZ products are indispensable in the region due to a number of objective factors. We are talking about full-fledged frame SUVs designed for the harshest operating conditions. Changes in heights and temperatures, as well as the heterogeneity of the road surface - rocks, mud, fords - are something that Bolivian users have to deal with every day. The reliable ZMZ Pro engine provides uninterrupted operation at 4,500 meters above sea level in the Andes mountains and in the highland plateaus, where the departments of La Paz, Oruro and Potosi are located; at the famous La Cumbre Pass and Uyuni Salt Marsh. Cars are unpretentious to fuel quality and easy to maintain. In addition, several UAZ service stations are already operating in Bolivia, providing all types of services, from regular maintenance to repair work.

By the end of the year, UAZ plans to reach pre-crisis supply volumes, transferring at least 100 cars to the Bolivian side.

2022

Chinese carmaker Chery refused localization at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant

In August 2022, the Chinese carmaker, which was Chery negotiating a partnership with the Sollers Auto group, decided to abandon localization plans at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant due to sanctions risks. Chery may consider the option of localization at another Sollers Auto site - the Russian company, in addition to UAZ, has joint ventures with in Ford Yelabuga and with in Mazda , Vladivostok which are still frozen.

Difficulties with release due to stopping the supply of components against the background of Russia's special operation in Ukraine

2018

In 2018, the plant annually produces

• More than 50,000 SUVs
• More than 29,000 minibuses and trucks
• About 20,000 cars
• More than 7,000 pickup trucks

1983: Air Buses

At the base of the UAZ design, a propeller was attached to it and the wheels were replaced with skis.]]

Notes