The Lada was built in Russia in the plant that Fiat built for them and is basically a Fiat 128. They were both ugly as sin, but the Russkie version could take the cold weather a bit better. Rotted like a Fiat, mind you, but if you had a Model T tool kit, you could fix most anything on it. They established a presence here the same way Hyundai did- build a cheap, cheap car and you'll sell them, period and look where Hyundai is now!