Likinsky Bus Plant LIAZ

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Likinsky Bus Plant (LIAZ) has been a leader in the production of extra-large and large class buses for many years. The company's product line includes more than a dozen models of public transport, including trolleybuses. In 2005, the organization became part of the GAZ Group of Companies, which made it possible to re-equip the production base and organize the assembly of world-class equipment.

Experienced Wood Chemist

The early 1930s was a very busy time for the Soviet Union. Having recovered from the consequences of the civil war, the USSR rushed to catch up with the Western countries with all its might. The primary tasks were to build up industrial potential, develop and introduce advanced technologies.

In 1933, near Moscow (in the village of Likino-Dulyovo), on the site of the future LIAZ plant, it was decided to create an experimental enterprise - the Timber Chemical Plant. On its site, it was planned to develop new for the USSR technologies for processing and using wood: fiberboard, chipboard, lignoston bars, insulating boards, etc. However, the construction was delayed. Only by the autumn of 1937 were the main buildings built and equipment installed. The first product was wooden rail pads for the Moscow Metro.

War

No sooner had the plant gained momentum than the Great Patriotic War began. In a few months, fascist troops reached Moscow. The question arose about the evacuation of the enterprise. The equipment was dismantled and relocated under bombardment to the Chelyabinsk region. However, soon the enemy was driven back from the capital, and the trains returned home.

Through the heroic efforts of mainly women and teenagers (most of the men fought), the work of the factory was restored. Already in February 1942, the production of wooden products for aircraft, balls for obtaining gunpowder and other products began. For selfless work, the employees of the team were repeatedly awarded medals, orders and commemorative signs.

From tree to mechanism

When most of the USSR was liberated, the government faced a no less serious task than defeating the enemy - restoring the country from ruins. The first step was to increase the production of building materials many times over, the most affordable of which was wood. And to increase the pace of logging, mechanisms and equipment were needed.

In 1944, the Timber Chemical Pilot Plant, taking into account its profile and the experience of workers, was reconstructed into the Likinsky Machine-Building Plant (LIMZ). Its specialization was the production of machines and units for logging and woodworking.industry: sleeper cutters, mobile power plants, skidding winches, motor trucks, electric saws, spare parts for KT-12 tractors and ZIS vehicles. The company also organized the repair of complex diesel engines.

Buses to be

The 50s were marked by the rapid growth of the automotive industry. As cities expanded, the lack of public transport became more and more acute. This problem was especially urgent for the country's largest metropolis, Moscow. In the late 50s, a decision was made to create a LIAZ bus plant on the basis of LIMZ. The enterprise was located near the capital, and the qualifications of the workers made it possible to launch the production of complex equipment.

In 1958, the reconstruction of the plant for the production of city passenger buses ZIL-158 began. The Firstborn rolled off the assembly line on January 10, 1959. This model was produced through 1970 inclusive. For 11 years, LIAZ has manufactured 62,290 vehicles.

From copying to in-house designs

The LIAZ bus plant developed rapidly. If in 1959 the factory workers produced 213 vehicles, then in 1963 5419 buses were assembled. By the end of the 60s, productivity was over 7,000 vehicles.

However, the team swung at more - to create their own model, superior in performance to the reliable, but outdated ZIL. Having gained some experience, the engineers and designers of the LIAZ plant have developed an improved version of the large capacious citybus LIAZ-677. The prototype was released in 1962, after a series of tests and improvements in 1967, the first batch was released.

The model turned out to be extremely successful. In 1972, at the autumn Leipzig Fair, she was awarded the Gold Medal, becoming an example for other enterprises of the socialist bloc. It was produced in various versions and modifications until the mid-90s: excursion, urban, suburban, northern version, with gas-balloon equipment, in special version (mobile television station). By the end of 1994, 194,356 units had been manufactured.

Thus, LIAZ-677 became one of the most popular models in the country and was widely used both on the territory of the USSR and abroad. For labor achievements, the team received a well-deserved award in 1976 - the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

Development

Having released an excellent product, the factory workers were not going to rest on their laurels. In the early 80s, a new model was developed - LIAZ-5256. However, for its production it was necessary to carry out technical re-equipment of the LIAZ plant. The reconstruction began in 1985 and lasted until 1991.

Initially, the 5256th model was assembled in a pilot shop in small batches. In 1985, 14 machines were manufactured. During this time, the main shortcomings were identified and eliminated before the release of the model into large-scale production. In March 1991, LIAZ-5256 entered the updated main conveyor, becoming the main model of the enterprise.

Hard Times

It's amazing that even induring the dramatic years of the Second World War, the enterprise suspended its work for only a few months. But at the end of the 20th century, in the era of technological progress and incredible opportunities, the LIAZ plant was on the verge of an abyss. After the collapse of the USSR, ties with suppliers of components and customers of finished products represented by municipalities were broken. The new government was not up to the buses. The situation was aggravated by a fire at the site for the production of KAMAZ engines, and power units stopped coming to Likino. In 1997, LIAZ was declared bankrupt, and external management was introduced.

Fortunately, in 2000, the Ruspromavto auto holding took patronage over the production, and five years later the company became part of the GAZ group of companies. This made it possible to restore and modernize the technological equipment. And at the same time, start producing modern, economical and environmentally friendly buses of a new generation.

Products

Today, LiAZ produces 20 leading models and about 60 modifications. In 2012, the first LIAZ-6274 electric bus was produced as an alternative to large class buses with gasoline, diesel and gas engines. The vehicle was developed on the basis of the LIAZ-5292 low-floor bus, powered by lithium-ion batteries and designed for urban transportation. For several years, trolleybuses were produced on the basis of LIAZ. Today, the company is ready to produce them to order.

2013 was the year of innovation:

• Together with partners, a low-floor bus of the European level LIAZ-529230 was manufactured. By the way, 30 cars of this series wereinvolved in servicing the Sochi Olympic Games in 2014.
• The first suburban low-floor car with a MAN engine was created.
• For the first time, a Russian YaMZ engine was installed on a low-floor bus LIAZ-529260.
• The new design and interior of the bus of the future has been developed. Among the improvements are new front and rear masks, panoramic windows, LED headlights, aerodynamic mirrors, curved, ergonomic handrails, and for the first time in Russia, self-leveling flooring technology was used.

In 2014, a new modification of the large-class bus LIAZ-529260 with a length of 10.5 m was created. A year later, a promising 9.5-meter model of the middle class saw the light. Comfortable ultra-modern tourist and intercity buses of the Cruise and Voyage series became the pride of the factory workers. According to the corporate policy of the company, in the future new models will be produced under the single GAZ brand, regardless of the place of production, be it in Likino, Pavlovo, or Kurgan.

Zavod LIAZ: reviews

Judging by the feedback from employees, the company is a desirable place to work. After joining the GAZ Group of Companies and the subsequent modernization, the conditions for the implementation of labor activities have improved markedly. Salaries have increased, all employees are provided with a significant social package.

Satisfied with the activities of the plant and partners: whether they are component suppliers or customers. LIAZ pays off contracts on time, avoiding debts. And its products meet the highest standards of quality, convenience andeconomy. By the way, all currently produced buses are equipped with engines of Euro-4, Euro-5 environmental classes, and some modifications are of the promising Euro-6 standard.

Where is the LIAZ plant located?

The production facilities of the enterprise are located in a large industrial cluster in the east of the Moscow region. Administratively it belongs to the Orekhovo-Zuevsky municipal district. The plant is city-forming.

Address of the LIAZ plant: 142600, Russian Federation, Likino-Dulyovo city, Kalinina street, 1.