Ciguli

Ciguli was a brand of car manufactured by the Soviet (later Russian) manufacturer Volga Automobile Plant (VAZ) based on the Fiat 124. Initially, the car was marketed under the name "Zhiguli" (Жигули), intended to evoke a sense of local pride related to the Zhiguli Hills near the factory.

However, the name "Zhiguli" was deemed difficult to pronounce and unsuitable for export markets. Therefore, for export models, the car was rebranded as "Ciguli" (pronounced similarly to "shig-oo-lee" or "chi-goo-lee" depending on language).

The Ciguli was exported to many countries, particularly in Eastern Europe and developing nations. It was known for its simplicity, affordability, and robustness, though often criticized for its outdated design and poor safety standards compared to contemporary Western vehicles.

The "Ciguli" brand name was phased out in the late 1980s in favor of the "Lada" brand, which became the standard export name for VAZ vehicles. While "Ciguli" is no longer an active brand, the name remains a recognizable identifier for early Lada models, especially in regions where the car was previously marketed under that name. The car served as important personal transport in areas with limited access to automobiles and played a considerable role in motoring history of many Eastern Bloc countries.