ZASTAVA YUGO
Zgodovina:
Styled by Zastava, it was called the Yugo 45, and it was related to the
Fiat 127, but different in appearance. Examples were made with the
903cc, 1100cc, and 1300cc engines. The 1100cc and the 1300cc versions
were sold in the USA as the Yugo GV, GVL, GVS, GVX, GV Plus, and the
Cabrio. In the 80's the factory started to make trucks, which were
based on IVECO licence. The names of the passenger cars are changed
from Zastava to Yugo.
The Yugo 45 called as Yugo Koral (in the European markets), the
Zastava GTL (the Fiat 128 clone) named to Yugo Skala. In 1988 the new
Yugo model was shown, called Florida (Sana in some countries). It's
exterior designed by Giorgetto Giorgiaro, its shape similar to Fiat
Tipo. These cars were exported mainly the eastern European countries,
because Yugos are cheap cars, but less were exported to western
European countries and the USA.
During the summer of 1985 the Yugo went on sale as the cheapest
car sold in the USA. With a base price of $3990, it was thousands
cheaper than the next car up. Standard equipment included fabric
upholstery, full carpeting, reclining front seats, folding rear seat,
rear window wiper/washer, opening rear quarter windows, rear window
electric defroster, low fuel warning light, cigarette lighter, locking
gas cap, and a full size spare tire. There were few options such as air
conditioning, stereos, floor mats, wheel covers, and roof racks.
As soon as it was announced that the Yugo would go on sale,
people stormed the 90 Yugo dealerships, and put down deposits on the
cars. They did this before even seeing the cars, much less driving
them. By the time 1500 cars had arrived dealers had orders for 5 times
that amount. First year sales fell well below what was predicted, but
rose in the second year
Auto critics tended to laugh at the Yugo, and branded it more of
a toy than a car. They also pointed out a series of flaws, and as it
happens many of the flaws were valid. Many owners complained of
mechanical problems including premature engine failure, bad brakes,
poor shifter and transmission, and faulty electrical systems, and
terrible dealer service. The insurance industry faulted the cars crash
worthiness, which didn't help matters.
In early 1989 Yugo America went bankrupt, which threatened to
remove the Yugo from the USA. No 1989 models were imported, so dealers
sold leftover 1988 models. Reorganization brought Yugo America back to
life, but it faced a major battle to repair it's poor image.
A revived Yugo GV Plus with fuel injection was introduced in
1990, along with the long awaited Yugo Cabrio. The Cabrio was priced
twice as high as the hatchback, and offered an electric folding top,
heated glass rear window, automatic folding quarter windows, and an
aerodynamic body kit, which included fog lamps. The first shipment of
Cabrios were not fuel injected though. Following it's bankruptsy, Yugo
America became a subsidary of Zastava, rather than a seperate
organization. The 1991 models were the last to be imported, they came
with larger fuel tanks, better seats, a better steering wheel angle,
and automatic transmissions. Previously, all Yugos came with a manual
transmission.
Sales of the Yugo slipped to a minimum before the company closed
it's doors for good. Americans don't likes the tiny hatchbacks, like
this. It was economical, but weak and not as comfortable and not as
equipped compared to the average american cars. In the early 90's when
Yugoslavia was in war the export fallen. The production of the factory
was unstable.