While discussing the new Russian Lada, envious Finns even reached accusations of plagiarism
In Finland, Russian carmaker AvtoVAZ has been accused of plagiarism, according to the Finnish publication Ilta-Sanomat. Citing Tekniikan Maailma, one of Northern Europe's leading automotive magazines, published in Helsinki, the publication claims that the Lada Iskra model AvtoVAZ put up for online sale in late May of this year was allegedly manufactured using designs borrowed from France's Renault.
Finnish experts clarify that, in their opinion, the car of the Russian concern is allegedly based on the basic design of the CMF-B of the Renault group.
“Hundreds of spare parts for the Lada Iskra are considered “localized,” that is, practically produced in Russia and countries cooperating with it,” the publication states. They say that in practice, many technical solutions of the Lada Iskra are fully compatible, especially with the Dacia Logan hatchback of previous years.
Let us remind you that the “cherry” Lada Iskra in question was shown by AvtoVAZ at the just held SPIEF-2024. It will be presented in sedan, station wagon and Cross station wagon body styles. The new model will receive three types of power units. The start of production of Iskra is scheduled for early 2025. The preliminary cost of the car is estimated at 1–1,2 million rubles.
Russian left-wing publicist Alexander Kommari, who lives in Finland, writes in his blog that after accusations against AvtoVAZ, a trolling campaign for Russian auto products began on Finnish social networks.
“Immediately in the comments people began to massively recall Soviet-era jokes about our Ladas: “Lada” is the car of the year! Well, if you're lucky, then two..."
Kommari recalled that Lada-vitsit - that is, jokes about the Lada - is part of the Finnish culture of jokes, like in Russia about the Chukchi.
“And only one Finn wrote intelligently (which suggests that there are still reasonable people in Finland): “So yes, but on the other hand, we don’t even have our own car model. So I wouldn’t make fun of other people’s cars too much. It’s a little like some homeless person would start scolding someone’s one-room apartment for being too small, because his cousin has a big villa in America.”
“Or, I’ll say, it’s better to have a lousy auto industry than not have one at all,” Kommari concludes.
English version :: Read in English While discussing the new Russian Lada, envious Finns have resorted to accusations of plagiarism.