Editing Lada Samara (section)

==Exports==
[[File:Lada Samara Cabriolet rear.jpg|thumb|left|1992 Lada Samara Cabriolet, also called "Natasha"]]
The Samara was sold all across the world, from [[Australia]] to [[Canada]], in most European countries, and throughout the [[COMECON]] sphere. The build quality of the Samara was better than that of most Eastern European models.{{sfnp|Thompson|2008|p=253}} In most nations, versions and equipments were decided on and installed by the dealers themselves. These local varieties ranged from decals and badges to the convertible conversions offered in [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]]. The Samara was often sold under other names as well, in particular the VAZ 21099 (Samara Sedan), which was sold as the Sagona (France, Canada, and Spain), Diva (Belgium and the Netherlands), Forma (Germany){{sfnp|Thompson|2008|pp=255, 257}} and Sable (Australia and New Zealand).

It was engineered in right-hand drive for the UK market, where it was sold from November 1987. It was sold there until VAZ withdrew from the UK market in July 1997, and was the most popular Lada model sold in the UK during the 23 years that the brand was sold there.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lada-owners-club.co.uk/ukladahistorypage3.html |title=UK Lada history | page = 3 | archive-date=20 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320174126/http://www.lada-owners-club.co.uk/ukladahistorypage3.html | work = Lada Owners Club UK }}</ref>

In certain markets where the tax structure benefited diesels (such as [[France]] and the [[Benelux]]), the Samara was available with a 1.5-litre Peugeot diesel engine in 1995–97.

With VAZ facing financial hardships in 1996–1997, exports began coming to a halt. The Lada Samara disappeared from Canada after the 1997 model year, leaving the [[Lada Niva|Niva]] as the only Lada sold in Canada for the 1998 model year. Exports to Australia and Great Britain ended around the same time. The biggest problem was GM's reluctance to sell the fuel-injection kits necessary for exports, as they doubted VAZ's ability to pay. Faced with parts shortages, tax problems, and the chaos and criminality of Russia in the mid-nineties,<ref>Ireland A. D., Hoskisson R., Hitt M. Understanding Business Strategy: Concepts and Cases. Cengage Learning. 2005. P. 145</ref> export efforts languished and RHD production was no longer feasible.{{sfnp|Thompson|2008|pp=323, 328}}

As a partial response to this situation, a higher-quality version for the European market, the Lada EuroSamara or Samara Baltic in some markets, was assembled in [[Finland]] at the [[Valmet Automotive]] plant in [[Uusikaupunki]]. Production started in mid-1996 and ended in July 1998, with 14,000 cars made from 85 per cent Russian parts.

===British market===
The [[United Kingdom]] had to wait nearly three years for the Samara to go on sale, after its launch in the USSR, but sales were reasonably strong when the first versions of the car left forecourts, in November 1987.

In a road test conducted by ''[[The Motor]]'' magazine, it scored more than 5 points out of 10 in most aspects and was praised for having a remarkably extensive list of standard equipment, "impressive" engine, good visibility and performance for its price segment, lowered fuel consumption, being good at cornering and "tolerably quiet", but also received criticism for having a cheap-looking interior and plastic mouldings and being "very turbulent" on poor roads.<ref>The Motor, 5 December 1987, pp. 40–41</ref>

The [[Pound sterling|£]]4,795 price at introduction "was much less expensive" than the competing Peugeot 309 or Ford Escort 1300.{{sfnp|Thompson|2008|pp=257–258}} The Samara remained on sale in the United Kingdom right up to 4 July 1997, when the decision was made to withdraw from Great Britain and most other export markets.<ref>"Lada History in the UK", [http://www.lada-owners-club.co.uk/lada_%20history_in_the_UK.htm Lada Owners Club UK] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021093957/http://www.lada-owners-club.co.uk/lada_%20history_in_the_UK.htm |date=21 October 2010 }}</ref>
In countries where ruggedness was more important, it was more successful, selling reasonably well in Canada, Australia, and Finland for instance.{{sfnp|Thompson|2008|p=260}}

[[File:Samara.jpeg|left|thumb|250px|Samara 1500 hatchback (UK, Dec '92)]]

The attempt to appeal to a wider clientele failed; while an improvement over previous Ladas, the Samara's higher price pitched it against stiffer West European competition.

By the time of the Samara's launch, the British small family car market was effectively split into two segments: The large mainstream market was dominated by mass-market manufacturers, such as [[Ford of Europe|Ford]], [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]], and [[Volkswagen]]. The budget market consisted of [[Eastern Europe]]an and [[Far East]]ern brands, such as [[Škoda Auto|Škoda]], [[Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych|FSO]], [[Hyundai Motor Group|Hyundai]], and [[Proton (carmaker)|Proton]].

The aging Samara came bottom of the annual 1996 and 1997 [[JD Power]] and [[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear]] surveys in Great Britain.

====Versions====
Initially sold as a three- or five-door hatchback with a 1.3 petrol engine, a 1.5 version became available in October 1988. Metallic paint became an option for the first time in November 1989 when the 1.5 SLX was launched. A new entry-level model arrived in July 1990 when the 1.1 petrol engine was added to the range (Select or L). An updated version of the Samara was launched in April 1991, with all new trim levels. This was followed by the introduction of the VAZ 21099 saloon version 15 months later. The saloon also became available as a sporty 1.5 "Juno" from July 1994, featuring alloy wheels, swoopy, ill-fitting sideskirts and a rear spoiler. A fuel injected engine became available on the 1.3 and 1.5 models in August 1996.<ref>''Lada Cars in the UK'', [http://www.lada-owners-club.co.uk/lada_%20cars_in_the_UK.htm#nogo Lada Owners Club UK] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721003733/http://www.lada-owners-club.co.uk/lada_%20cars_in_the_UK.htm |date=21 July 2010 }}</ref>

===Australian market===
[[File:1991 Lada Samara 1300 5-door hatchback (2015-07-16) 02.jpg|thumbnail|right|1991 Lada Samara 1300 5-door hatchback (Australia)]]
The Samara was introduced into the Australian market in July 1988, and was offered in three-door and convertible body styles. A three-door variant called the Bizivan was also offered, which was sold without rear seats in order to qualify as a commercial van, and therefore, lower import duties. In 1990, the range was pared down to a single five-door model, marketed as the Lada Cevaro. The 3-door returned in 1994 as the Lada Volante and the four-door was introduced as the Lada Sable. Imports had ceased by 1996.<ref>[http://www.redbook.com.au/used-cars/Lada/make.htm The Red Book], retrieved from www.redbook.com.au on 14 September 2009</ref>

In 1988, approximately 6,000 Lada Samaras were modified by [[Peter Brock]]'s [[Holden Dealer Team|Special Vehicles]] operation that had previously made high performance [[Holden Commodore]]s. The cars would be known as the Lada Samara Sedan Brock Delux and included a few subtle Brock-devised suspension tweaks to improve the car's low-speed ride, as well as a special body kit. It cost about [[Australian dollar|A$]]3,000 more than the base model Samara.

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