The first cars manufactured by AvtoVAZ, then a state-owned enterprise, were produced with technical assistance from Fiat and marketed under the Zhiguli designation. The Lada brand appeared in 1973, initially being overseas-focused before becoming AvtoVAZ's main brand for all markets in the 1990s. Groupe Renault took control of the brand in 2016. Technical assistance from the French company started in 2008, after it acquired a minority AvtoVAZ stake.

The car was built under license in several other countries. The service made Ladas popular as police cars, taxis, and a range of public service and civil defense vehicles in many parts of Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.