In the early 2000s, Ford was the most popular and sought-after car in Russia. What killed the U.S. manufacturer and made it flee the Russian market, leaving behind millions of invested dollars?
The history of the iconic U.S. carmaker in Russia began at a time when most ordinary folk could not even dream of owning such a vehicle. Yet only four years after the company’s founding, Ford opened an official branch in the Russian Empire in 1907.
These were not the most peaceful times for the world, and Russia in particular. The October Revolution was fast approaching, which, when it hit, swept away the old order and created an entirely new state in the shape of the USSR. Incredibly, not only did Ford not leave Russia after the revolution, it saw good prospects for doing business with the new Soviet government.
In 1930, the KIM Moscow Automobile Plant opened in the USSR, where assembly of the Ford A passenger car and Ford AA truck got underway.
These were not the most peaceful times for the world, and Russia in particular. The October Revolution was fast approaching, which, when it hit, swept away the old order and created an entirely new state in the shape of the USSR. Incredibly, not only did Ford not leave Russia after the revolution, it saw good prospects for doing business with the new Soviet government.