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Zastava Automobiles and Arms Factory

Zastava Automobiles (Serbian: Zavodi Zastava) is a former Yugoslavian automobile manufacturer based in Kragujevac, Serbia. The company's history dates back to 1853 when it was founded as the Institute of Arts and Culture.

Initially, the factory produced arms and ammunition, but its first major foray into the automotive industry began in 1953 with the acquisition of a license from Fiat to produce the Campagnola AR51 model. This marked the beginning of Zastava's involvement in car manufacturing, which would eventually become one of its primary focuses.

In 1954, the company introduced its first passenger vehicle, the Fiat 1400, followed by the Fiat 1100 D and later the Zastava 600, a car identical to the Fiat 600. The success of these models led to significant production increases, with over 923,487 units produced between 1955 and 1985.

During this period, Zastava also established partnerships with other manufacturers, including Fiat, which would become an integral part of its operations. In the early 1970s, the company introduced the Zastava 101 model, a modified version of the Fiat 128.

The production of cars continued until 2011, when Fiat acquired the facilities in Kragujevac to produce the Fiat 500L. However, the company's involvement in the automotive industry was disrupted by trade sanctions imposed by the UN in 1992 and later resumed after their lifting in 1995.

Zastava also produced military vehicles, including trucks and jeeps, which were used during World War II and other conflicts. The company's arms division, Zastava Arms, continues to produce small military and sports weapons based on Russian and German designs.

History of the Company

After World War II, the factory was renamed Zavodi Crvena Zastava ("Red Flag Factories") in 1950. In 1954, the company signed a cooperation agreement with Fiat, which led to an increase in car production. The following year saw the introduction of the Fiat 1400 and 1100 D models.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Zastava continued to expand its product line, introducing new models such as the Zastava 600 and 850. These vehicles were highly successful, with the 600 becoming a particular