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{{Short description|Soviet and Russian automobile manufacturer}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox company 
|logo   = Logo ao moskvich.jpg
|name   = AZLK
|industry       = [[Automotive]]
|type   = [[Government-owned]] (1929–1991, 2022–present), [[privately held company|privately owned]] (1991–2010)
|successor      = [[Moskvitch|Moskvitch OAO]]
|foundation     = 1930
|location       = [[Moscow]], [[Russia]]
|products       = cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, sports vehicles, vans, war machines
|revenue        = 
|num_employees  = 
|net_income     = 
|operating_income = 
|homepage       = [http://www.azlk.ru/ www.azlk.ru]
}}

'''AZLK''' (''АЗЛК - Автомобильный завод имени Ленинского Комсомола'' in [[Russian language|Russian]], Avtomobilny Zavod imeni Leninskogo Komsomola) is a Soviet and Russian [[automobile]] manufacturer ([[Moscow]]), the maker of the [[Moskvitch]] brand.

==History==
Founded in 1930 as KIM, or ''Communist Youth International'', the plant became MZMA (''Moscow Small Car Factory'') in 1939, before finally changing its name to the more familiar ''Avtomobilny Zavod imeni Leninskogo Komsomola'' (AZLK), literally "[[Komsomol|Lenins Komsomol]] Automobile Factory" in 1969.

Beginning in 1939, the factory's passenger cars were sold under the ''Moskvitch'' (Muscovite, a person whose origin or place of residence is Moscow) brand. The plant was originally under the authority of Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod ([[GAZ]] – Gorky Automobile Factory) founded at about the same time, but by 1939 it was operationally independent.

AZLK's role in the [[automotive industry in the Soviet Union|Soviet automotive industry]] was the production of small cars, which could be classified as anywhere from [[compact car|compact]] to mid-size. [[AvtoVAZ]] and [[IZh]] were also charged with producing vehicles in the same category as AZLK, while GAZ handled the large car and full-size segment.

Following [[privatization]] in 1991, AZLK adopted [[Moskvitch]] as its corporate name, as it had already been used on all of the company's cars dating to 1939.

===1929–1941===
[[File:KIM-10-50 sedan1940.jpg|thumb|right|KIM 10-50]]
The construction of the plant called ''Moscow Car Assembly Factory'' (Russian: Московский автосборочный завод) began in 1929. In 1930 the production of [[Ford Model A (1927–1931)|Ford A]] and [[Ford Model AA|Ford AA]] from parts that were provided by the [[Ford Motor Company]] began. In December 1930 the plant was named '''KIM''' ('''Zavod imeni Kommunsticheskogo Internatsionala Molodyozhi''', Russian: КИМ (Завод имени Коммунистического Интернационала Молодёжи) - Communist Youth International, literally "''Factory named after Communist Youth International''"), from 1930 to 1939 its official name was '''Moscow Car Assembly Factory named after KIM''' (Московский автосборочный завод имени КИМ) and then from 1939 until the beginning of the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Great Patriotic War]] it was called '''Moscow Car Factory named after KIM''' (Московский автомобильный завод имени КИМ). In 1933, the production of the Ford A and Ford AA ceased. On August 1, 1933, the factory became a subsidiary of GAZ and produced GAZ AA using parts from GAZ. In 1939, KIM was no longer the subsidiary of GAZ and in the following year it started to produce their first own and original model, the KIM 10-50 (two-door saloon), inspired by the [[Ford Prefect]]. There was also a convertible known as the KIM 10–51. Around 500 cars of both versions were made before the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. In the early 1941, approximately 2 prototypes of the KIM 10-52 were built. It was a four-door saloon which was the major difference between the KIM 10-52 and the KIM 10–50. There were plans for mass production of this car but they were interrupted by the beginning of the war.

===Post-war years===
[[File:Москвич_407.JPG|thumb|right|Moskvitch-402]]

In May 1945, the [[Council of People's Commissars of the USSR]] adopted a decision on the production of small cars named "''Moskvich''". The plant was renamed to the "''Small Car Plant''" (PCA), and later again to "''Moscow Plant of Small Cars''" (MZMA, Moskovskiy Zavod Malolitrazhniy Avtomobiliy). In agreement with [[Opel]], the plant started to produce the Moskvich-400 passenger car based on the [[Opel Kadett#Kadett "KJ38" and "K38 Spezial" (1938–1940)|Opel Kadett]]. In 1956, MZMA launched into production its own and highly successful model, the [[Moskvitch 402|Moskvitch-402]], that was followed by the upgraded and restyled versions known as the M-403 and M-407 and later by the brand new [[Moskvitch-408]] series. On May 18, 1967, the company produced its one millionth car.<ref name=Thompson08>{{cite book |last1=Thompson |first1=Andrew |title=Cars of the Soviet Union : the definitive history |date=26 Jun 2008 |publisher=J H Haynes|location=Somerset, UK |isbn=1844254836}}</ref>{{rp|139}} The same year, the first new [[Moskvitch 412]] appeared.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|149}} The M-407 was the first Soviet automotive export to be truly successful in the West.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|87}} Up to half of all M-407 production was exported for a number of years, mainly to the [[Eastern Bloc]] countries, Norway, Finland, and France.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|87}} Later models also proved a good value in Britain, Finland, and Norway, for instance, and in 1968, 55% of production was for export.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|144}}

The name of the company was changed from ''MZMA'' to ''AZLK'' in October 1968 in honour of the ''Lenin Komsomol''{{'}}s fiftieth anniversary.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|151}}

During the 1960s, AZLK proposed the [[Moskvitch 415|M-415]] and [[Moskvitch 416|M-416]] [[four-wheel drive]] vehicles. They were not proceeded with, either.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|163}}

In 1970, AZLK updated the M-412's styling, with the [[Moskvitch 353|353]]. Using M-412 mechanicals, it was larger but recognizably related. The [[Moskvitch 355|355]] of 1972 was larger still, with {{convert|23|cm|in|abbr=on}} greater length, {{convert|14|cm|in|abbr=on}} more [[wheelbase]], and  {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}} more width.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|164}} This made both the interior and the [[Trunk (automobile)|boot]] noticeably larger.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|164}} The 355 was further developed into the [[Moskvitch 356|356]] between 1973 and 1975, with "much bolder front end styling", new suspension, and an enlarged {{convert|1,799|cc|cid|abbr=on}} version of the [[Moskvitch DM|DM]] engine with twin [[Zenith carburettor|Zenith]] carburetors, giving {{convert|103|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}}, with a [[Borg-Warner]] transmission planned.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|164}} 1600cc and 1700cc engines were also planned. None  was built.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|164}}

[[File:Москвич_423.JPG|thumb|left|Moskvitch-423]] [[File:Moskvitch_408_Sedan_de_luxe%2C_produced_in_1968%2C_at_the_I._International_Oldtimer_and_Youngtimer_Festival%2C_Budapest%2C_2011.jpg|thumb|right|Moskvitch-408]]
AZLK in August 1974 sold its two millionth unit.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|168}}

In order to replace the [[Moskvitch 408|408]] and M-412,<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|168}} in 1975 Moskvitch designed a four-door [[fastback]] [[Moskvitch C1|C1]] (Series One), with a {{convert|1,702|cc|cid|abbr=on}} version of the DM straight four, offering {{convert|81|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}}, to give a top speed of {{convert|93|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|167}} Unlike the M-412, it had [[MacPherson strut]]s in front and independent trailing arms in back.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|167}} It did not reach the company's goals and was never built, but inspired the four door [[Moskvitch C2|C2]] in 1976, which never passed the [[mockup]] stage, and the [[Moskvitch C3|C3]], which was very similar but a five-door [[hatchback]].<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|167}} The engine would have been fitted at an angle from the vertical (like the [[Chrysler Slant-6 engine|Chrysler slant six]]).<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|168}} None of these projects reached production.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|164}}

[[File:Moskwitch_%287907480046%29.jpg|thumb|right|Moskvitch-2140]]

The M-408 and M-412 were discontinued in December 1975, replaced by facelifted variants, the {{convert|50|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}} {{convert|1,358|cc|cid|abbr=on}} [[Moskvitch 2140|2138]] (1360) and {{convert|75|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}} {{convert|1,478|cc|cid|abbr=on}} [[Moskvitch 2140|2140]] (1500), which entered production the next month.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|168}} In fact, the M-2138 and M-2140 were built in stages: M-412 bodies with the boot lid, rear wings, and tail of the M-2140; then M-2140 bodies with M-412 doors; and then, early in 1976, all-M-2140s.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|170}} These "hybrid" models are now very rare.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|170}} The M-21381 and M-21401 were offered as ambulance models, also, as well as the right-hand drive M-21402.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|171}} In addition, there was a "rural" M-21406, with a low-[[Compression ratio|compression]] {{convert|68|hp|kW PS|lk=on|abbr=on}} engine.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|170}} (This same engine, in the standard model, earned the designation M-2140D.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|170}})

They were joined in 1976 by the {{convert|1,358|cc|cid|abbr=on}}-powered 2136 and {{convert|1,478|cc|cid|abbr=on}}-engined M-2137 [[Station wagon|estate]]; these were sold in much smaller numbers, the M-2136 surviving only until 1977.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|170}} There were also two [[sedan delivery]] variants, the M-2733 ({{convert|1,358|cc|cid|abbr=on}}) and M-2734 ({{convert|1,478|cc|cid|abbr=on}}).<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|170}} A small number of [[Pickup truck|pickup]]s (M-27334 and M-27344, with ({{convert|1,358|cc|cid|abbr=on}}) and ({{convert|1,478|cc|cid|abbr=on}}), respectively); these weren't produced for a long time, either.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|170}} By the 1980s, the deliveries had virtually disappeared, as well, because AZLK simply could not keep up with a demand for saloons.<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|170}}

Although the M-2138 and M-2140 were sold in Eastern Europe and exported to Belgium and Finland, where they were sold under the Scaldia [[Brand|marque]], they were being gradually pushed off the market by a large variety of cars offered by [[AvtoVAZ]].<ref name=Thompson08/>{{rp|171}} In response, Moskvitch launched into production a brand new and much more modern rear-wheel drive car with a roomy interior in 1986, the [[Aleko|Moskvitch-2141]], that was often upgraded and restyled during the period of its production.

[[File:Aleko_2141_S_%28Moskvitch_Chysler-Talbot_Alpine_lookalike%29_%2815805415925%29.jpg|thumb|right|Moskvitch-2141]]

===Post-Soviet period===
{{main|Moskvitch}}
In the early 1990s AZLK still remained one of the largest auto companies in the [[USSR]]. Design and experimental work was prepared to create a new model car ([[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]] M-2142) and an engine plant.

As of 2022, the brand restarted production in the Russian market with the use of licensed Chinese vehicles making use of a factory that was once owned by Renault.

== Alternative names ==
* Moskvitch Stock Venture ({{langx|ru|АО Москвич}}, from 1991 until bankruptcy in 2006)
* AZLK ({{langx|ru|АЗЛК}}, from 1968 to 1991, the abbreviation means ''Automobile Plant named after the Leninist [[Komsomol]]'')
* ZMA, or MZMA ({{langx|ru|ЗМА}}, {{langx|ru|МЗМА}}, from 1945 to 1968, the abbreviation stands for ''(Moscow) Plant of [[Compact car|Small Automobiles]]'')
* KIM ({{langx|ru|КИМ}}, from 1939 to 1941, the name means ''Moscow Automobile Plant named after the [[Young Communist International]]'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.azlk.ru AZLK site]
* [http://www.azlk-team.ru AZLK-car support]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20220330064919/http://wiki-azlk.ru/ Russian WIKI AZLK]
* {{in lang|ru}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20110911125055/http://www.bvl.com.ua/?id=site&content=16&article=6&page=1 History of AZLK]

{{Automotive industry in Russia}}
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[[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of Russia]]
[[Category:Car manufacturers of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Moscow]]
[[Category:1929 establishments in the Soviet Union]]