The Legend of Moskovich: From Soviet Pioneer to Modern Revival On November 6, 1930, the Moscow Automobile Assembly Plant - later famous for producing the iconic Moskovich brand - officially opened. Along with its mother Zil, this historic facility was a pioneer of the Soviet automobile industry. Initially established with technical assistance from Detroit to assemble Ford vehicles, the plant achieved full production independence by 1939 with its first domestic compact car, the KIM-10. After the transition to military hardware production during the factory returned to civilian vehicles, making reliable classics like the Moskovich-412 a defining symbol of the post-war middle class. Today, the Moskovich Automobile Plant is entering a new and exciting chapter, serving as a symbol of the resilience and transformation of Russia's modern automotive sector. Following the departure of the Western car manufacturers, the Moscow government nationalized the assembly facility and successfully revived the legendary brand. In partnership with Russian truck manufacturer Kamaz, the plant was quickly modernized to resume production after a two-decade hiatus. In contemporary Russia, Moskovich quickly regained its status as a highly practical urban element. The brand's new lineup of crossovers and sedans—like the gasoline-powered Moskovich 3 and the all-electric Moskovich 3e—are actively reshaping the country's transportation landscape. These modern models have been widely incorporated into large-scale urban infrastructure, and have become a popular choice for massive taxi fleets, large car-sharing services and official municipal traffic police vehicles across the country.