Minsk Automobile Plant

File:1998. Stamp of Belarus 0260-0264.jpg

After a decision by the Soviet Industrial command in August 1944, the plant was begun as the Second World War ended.{{cite magazine | ref = LundK | last = Schauen | first = Till | title = Bau-genossen |trans-title=The joys of cooperative building | language = de | page = 63 | issue = 1 (December/Januar 2016) | volume = 24 | date = December 2015 | magazine = Last & Kraft | publisher = Vereinigte Fachverlage | location = Mainz, Germany | issn = 1613-1606 }} The first MAZ model, the MAZ-200, entered production in 1949. This truck used General Motors-designed two-stroke engines and was a continuation of a truck developed by the Yaroslavl Motor Plant (YaMZ), who also built the engines. Later on, YaMZ's own original engines were developed and implemented in the MAZ-500 series which was first shown in 1955, but only reaching full series production in 1965.Schauen, p.64

Apartment buildings, shops, medical clinics, cinemas etc. were built in close proximity to the MAZ plant, providing plant workers with local (though limited) necessities. On many of the construction sites, German prisoners of war were working together with Belarusian construction workers.

It manufactures heavy-duty trucks, buses, trolleybuses, road tractors and semi-trailers for semi-trailer trucks, and cranes. MAZ was, and possibly is, the world's largest manufacturer of TELs (Transporter-Erector-Launchers) for many of the world's mobile ballistic missiles, from the MAZ-543 used to carry and launch the Scud B through to the Topol M's 8-axle TEL.{{cn|date=January 2023}}

In 2020, it was said that the MAZ was the primary supplier for the chassis of such Russian army vehicles as the launchers for the Iskander-M and the S-400 because the domestic Russian products are of comparatively low quality.{{cite news |last1=Ferris |first1=Emily |title=Could Russia's Reliance on Belarus be its Soft Underbelly? |url=https://static.rusi.org/could-russias-reliance-on-belarus-be-its-soft-underbelly.pdf |publisher=The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies |date=12 January 2023}}

On 21 June 2021, MAZ (as well as its general manager Ivankovich) was added to the sanctions list of the European Union for repressions against workers who participated in mass protests against the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko following the controversial presidential election of 2020. According to the official decision of the EU,

"[MAZ] is a source of revenue for the Lukashenka regime. OJSC MAZ has offered its premises and equipment to stage a political rally in support of the regime. Therefore, OJSC “MAZ” benefits from and supports the Lukashenka regime."[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0997&from=EN COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2021/997] - Official Journal of the European Union, 21.06.2021

Moreover,

Employees of OJSC “MAZ” who took part in strikes and peaceful protests in the aftermath of fraudulent August 2020 elections in Belarus, were intimidated and later laid off by the company’s managements. A group of employees was locked indoors by OJSC MAZ to prevent them from joining the other protesters. Therefore, MAZ is responsible for the repression of civil society and supports the Lukashenka regime.

On the same day, MAZ and Ivankovich were also sanctioned by Canada.{{Cite web|url=https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/sanctions/consolidated-consolide.aspx?lang=eng|title=Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List|date=19 October 2015 |publisher=Global Affairs Canada|accessdate=2021-06-29|lang=en}} Later, Switzerland also sanctioned the company and its general manager.{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swiss-widen-sanctions-list-against-belarus-2021-07-07/|title=Swiss widen sanctions list against Belarus |first1=Michael |last1=Shields| last2=Liffey |first2=Kevin |date=2021-07-07|publisher=Reuters|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707215407/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swiss-widen-sanctions-list-against-belarus-2021-07-07/|archivedate=2021-07-07|accessdate=2021-07-10|editor=Liffey, Kevin|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.seco.admin.ch/dam/seco/de/dokumente/Aussenwirtschaft/Wirtschaftsbeziehungen/Exportkontrollen/Sanktionen/Verordnungen/Belarus/belarus_2021-08-11.pdf|title=Sanctions program: Belarus: Verordnung vom 11. August 2021 über Massnahmen gegenüber Belarus (SR 946.231.116.9), Anhang 7 und 8|first=|last=|date=2021-08-11|publisher=Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815071230/https://www.seco.admin.ch/dam/seco/de/dokumente/Aussenwirtschaft/Wirtschaftsbeziehungen/Exportkontrollen/Sanktionen/Verordnungen/Belarus/belarus_2021-08-11.pdf|archivedate=2021-08-15|accessdate=2021-08-15|url-status=live}}

In March 2023, the U.S. Treasury included MAZ and Ivankovich in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List.{{cite web|url=https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/89011/|title=U.S. imposes sanctions against BelAZ and MAZ|date=March 24, 2023|work=Interfax}} In May 2023, Ukraine imposed sanctions against the plant, followed by the U.S. sanctions on exports in 2024.{{cite web|url=https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/en/sanction-company/418/|title=Open Joint Stock Company "Minsk Automobile Plant" (MAZ)|work=National Agency on Corruption Prevention}}

The association consists of the MAZ plant proper, located in Minsk, which is the main enterprise of the association, as well as several secondary enterprises:

• РУП «БААЗ» (in Baranavichy)
• РУП «ОЗАА» (in Asipovichy)
• РУА «КЗТШ» (in Zhodino)
• РУП «Літмаш» (in Minsk),
• ПРУП «ДЭМЗ» (in Dzyarzhynsk)
• РУП «СтройМАЗтрест» (in Minsk)

At some points of its history, MAZ was "united" with another heavy automobile company - BELAZ also located in Minsk area.

In 1991, a division specialising in heavy wheeled military vehicles was spun off into a separate business, MZKT.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/belarus/mzkt.htm|access-date=2011-05-15|title=Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant (MZKT)|date=2011-05-15}}

MAZ is 100% state-owned company.

Among other products, MAZ city buses (see pictures below) are operating throughout Belarus, as well as in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Latvia and Estonia.{{cite web|url=http://news.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=185402 |title=MAZ buses on display at Busworld 2007 - Economy / News headlines / Belarus News | Belarusian news | Belarus today | news in Belarus | Minsk news | BELTA - Belarus News | Belarusian news | Belarus today | news in Belarus | Minsk news | BELTA |access-date=2016-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306214645/http://news.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=185402 |archive-date=2014-03-06 }}

In Serbia, working in cooperation with a local-based company BIK (Bus industries Kragujevac), a production of gas-powered buses named BIK-203 has been agreed, which are based on the platform of MAZ-203 model.[http://www.ekapija.com/website/en/page/231082/Gas-powered-bus-from-Kragujevac-company-Vulovi%C4%87-transport-presented-new-product-in-Zagreb Gas-powered bus from Kragujevac] at ekapija.rs, 20-4-2009[http://www.vulovictransport.com/index.php?id=265 MAZ-BIK 203] at Vulović Transport official website

In 1997, together with MAN, a joint Belarusian-German company JSC MAZ-MAN, was set up, which by 1998 had established full-scale production of heavy vehicles, using the F90 MAN cabs introduced 1986 and replaced in 1994. While production of tractors for international trade with 4x2 and 6x4 chassis layouts was a stated goal, development of exhaust gas regulations within the EU turned this into a illusion.

• MAZ-1500 (1959, MAZ's only car)

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• MAZ-200 (1950, formerly built by YaAZ from 1947 to 1950)
• МАZ-200V (1952, tractor-trailer version of MAZ-200)
• МАZ-205 (1950, dump truck version of MAZ-200)
• МАZ-500/MAZ-500A (1965)
• MAZ-501 (1955, logging truck version of MAZ-200)
• МАZ-501V (tractor-trailer version of MAZ-501)
• МАZ-502 (1957, 4x4 version of MAZ-200)
• МАZ-502V (tractor-trailer version of MAZ-502)
• МАZ-503/MAZ-503A (1958, dump truck version of MAZ-500)
• MAZ-504/MAZ-504A (1965, tractor-trailer version of MAZ-500)
• МАZ-505 (1962, prototype 4x4 truck based on MAZ-500)
• MAZ-506 (1954, prototype dump truck based on MAZ-205)
• МАZ-509 (1969, logging truck version of MAZ-500)
• MAZ-510 (1965, prototype dump truck based on MAZ-503)
• МАZ-511 (dump truck version of MAZ-500)
• MAZ-512/MAZ-500C (cold weather version of MAZ-500)
• MAZ-513/MAZ-500YU (hot weather version of MAZ-500)
• MAZ-514 (1965, prototype three-axle truck based on MAZ-500)
• МАZ-515 (1965, prototype tractor-trailer version of MAZ-514)
• МАZ-516 (1969)
• MAZ-520 (1972, prototype truck based on MAZ-504)
• MAZ-525 (1951, later built by BelAZ)
• MAZ-528 (1955, prototype wheeled dozer)
• MAZ-529 (1955, production moved to MoAZ in 1958)
• MAZ-530 (1957, later built by BelAZ)
• MAZ-532 (1957, prototype logging truck)
• MAZ-535 (1958; production moved to KZKT in 1961)
• MAZ-537 (1959; production moved to KZKT in 1963)
• MAZ-538 (1964, wheeled dozer)
• MAZ-541 (1956, aircraft tug based on MAZ-525)
• МАZ-543/МАZ-7310 (1962)
• MAZ-547/MAZ-7916 (1972)
• MAZ-2000 (1988, prototype truck)
• MAZ-3650 (2019)
• МАZ-4370 (1999)
• МАZ-4371 (2003)
• МАZ-4380 (2010)
• МАZ-4471 (2006)
• МАZ-4570 (2002)

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• МАZ-5309 (2008)
• MAZ-5316 (1999, two-axle version of MAZ-6317)
• MAZ-5334 (1977, cab-chassis version of MAZ-5335)
• MAZ-5335 (1977)
• МАZ-5336 (1978)
• МАZ-5337 (1978)
• МАZ-5340 (2002)
• MAZ-5428 (1977)
• MAZ-5429 (1978)
• MAZ-5430 (1977)
• МАZ-5432 (1981)
• МАZ-5433 (1987)
• МАZ-5434 (1990)
• МАZ-5440 (1997)
• МАZ-5442
• МАZ-5516 (1988)
• MAZ-5549 (1978)
• MAZ-5550 (2006)
• МАZ-5551 (1985)
• МАZ-6303 (1990s)
• МАZ-6310 (2007)
• МАZ-6312 (2007)
• МАZ-6317 (1991)
• МАZ-6417
• MAZ-6418
• МАZ-6422 (1978)
• МАZ-6425 (tractor-trailer version of MAZ-6317)
• МАZ-6430 (1997)
• MAZ-6440 (2011, prototype)
• МАZ-6501 (2008)
• MAZ-6502 (2015)
• МАZ-6516
• МАZ-6517 (1994)
• МАZ-7410 (based on MAZ-543)
• МАZ-7906 (1984, prototype)
• MAZ-7907 (1985)
• МАZ-7910 (based on MAZ-543)
• MAZ-7922 (1990, prototype)
• MAZ-79221 (1996, later built by MZKT)

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File:MAZ-203 and MAZ-206.JPG|MAZ-203 and MAZ-206 buses

File:Maz truck mims 2006.JPG|MAZ-447131

File:MAZ-MAN truck.JPG|Tipper, with the MAN F90 cab

File:A MAZ bus in Hanoi.jpg, Vietnam|alt=]]

File:MAZ-215 in Minsk (May 2021) 1.jpg

• MAZ-101 (1993, based on Neoplan N4016)
• MAZ-103 Omnibus (1996, based on MAZ-101)
• MAZ-103T Trolleybus (1999)
• MAZ-104 (1997, based on MAZ-103)
• MAZ-105 articulated (1997, based on MAZ-103)
• MAZ-107 three axle (2001, based on MAZ-103)
• MAZ-152 city bus (1999)
• MAZ-163
• MAZ-171 Airport bus (2005)
• MAZ-203 Omnibus (2006)
• MAZ-203T Trolleybus (2006)
• MAZ-205 (2009)
• MAZ-206 Omnibus (2006)
• MAZ-207
• MAZ-215 (2014)
• MAZ-216 (2018)
• MAZ-226 (2007)
• MAZ-231
• MAZ-241
• MAZ-251 Tourist (2006)
• MAZ-256 Omnibus (2006)
• MAZ-257 (2019)
• MAZ-271 (2020)
• MAZ-281 (2019)
• MAZ-303 (2019)

• {{Anchor|MAZ-535|MAZ-537}} MAZ-535/MAZ-537 - The MAZ-535 and the heavier version MAZ-537 were developed in the early 1960s and built to transport rockets and tanks of various types.
• {{Anchor|MAZ-543|MAZ-547}} MAZ-543/MAZ-7310 - The MAZ-543 was also designed for the transport of medium-and long-range missiles and has the same specifications as the MAZ-537. The MAZ-543 is best known as mobile missile launch pad of Scud missiles. In 1976, the MAZ-7310 was released. It is similar to the MAZ-543 but without the special equipment. In addition, there are various modifications of the vehicle, such as the MAZ-547 as a mobile launch pad for SS-20 missiles or the MAZ-7917 as a launch pad of Topol intercontinental missile.
• MAZ-547/MAZ-7916 - The MAZ-547 is a six-axle version of the MAZ-543 and was used for the RSD-10 Pioneer IRBM. The MAZ-7916, an improved version, was released in 1980.
• MAZ-7904 - The MAZ-7904 is the largest wheeled vehicle that was ever designed for military purposes in the USSR. The prototype was designed in 1982 as a support vehicle for intercontinental ballistic missiles, but never went into production. The vehicle was found in 2007 in a hangar at Baikonur, but was scrapped in 2010 due to severe corrosion.{{cite web|url=http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/05/soviet-army-super-vehicles.html|title=Soviet Army Super Vehicles|date=May 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.denisovets.ru/maz/mazpages/maz7904.html|access-date=2013-06-10|title=Автомодельное бюро: МАЗ-7904|date=2013-06-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/maz-7904.htm|title=Maz-7904}}
• MAZ-7906/MAZ-7907 - The MAZ-7906 was an eight-axle, 16 wheel Transporter-erector-launcher intended to transport the Tselina-2 missile, a projected road-mobile variant of the RT-23 Molodets. In 1985, the 12-axle MAZ-7907 was developed, also intended for the Tselina-2. Two prototypes were produced, but despite successful factory trials, no production followed. At least one seems to have been used after the collapse of the USSR for transportation of bridge parts and ships. One unit is stored at the Minsk Wheel Tractor plant awaiting restoration.
• МАZ-7912/MAZ-7917 - The MAZ-7912 is a seven-axle, 14 wheel TEL for the Topol missile. In 1984, the MAZ-7917 was released, lengthened {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} and had crew cabins similar to the MAZ-7916.

File:Galosh anti-ballistic missile launcher.JPEG|MAZ-537

File:SS-1C Scud B missiles on TEL.JPEG|MAZ-543

File:Moscow Parad 2008 Ballist.jpg|MAZ-7917

• 1999–2002: Torpedo-MAZ Minsk

File:Bus MAZ-105.jpg|MAZ-105 bus

File:Constanta MAZ yellow bus.jpg|MAZ-103 city bus (yellow) in Constanța, Romania

File:Constanta pink bus.jpg|MAZ-103 city bus (pink) in Constanța, Romania

File:MAZ.Iasi-Romania.JPG|MAZ-103 city bus in Iași, Romania

File:МАЗ-103 Казань.jpg|Restyled MAZ-103 bus in Kazan, Russia

File:MAZ 103 CNG.jpg|MAZ-103 CNG

File:MAZ-103t in Minsk.JPG|MAZ-103T trolleybus in Minsk

File:MAZ 107 Constanta.jpg|MAZ-107 city bus in Constanța, Romania

File:MAZ-203 and MAZ-206.JPG|MAZ-203 and MAZ-206 buses

File:MAZ-251-Reisebus in München.JPG|MAZ-251 coach in Munich

File:MAZ 206 in route 107 at Hanoi.jpg|MAZ-206 at Kim Mã Terminal, Hanoi, Vietnam

File:Galati MAZ trolleybus 1403.jpg|MAZ-203T trolleybus in Galați, Romania

File:MAZ-215 Marshala Rokossovskoho avenue Kyiv 20190705.jpg|MAZ-215 articulated bus in Kyiv, Ukraine

File:MAZ-303.jpg|MAZ-303 bus

File:MAZ truck 2.JPG|MAZ-5551

File:9P117 9K72.jpg|9K72 Elbrus launcher (9P117)

File:MAZ-543 airport tender.jpg|MAZ-543 airport tender, airport in Kyrgyzstan

File:Fire truck ATs 5,0-50-4 on MAZ-5336A3.jpg|Fire truck ATs 5,0-50-4 on MAZ-5337A2 -01

File:Fire service Baranavichy, Belarus.jpg|MAZ-5337 Firetruck in Baranavichy, Belarus

File:МАЗ-6440.jpg|MAZ-6440 conventional cab tractor unit

File:MAZ-478800 (MAZ-4571N2-540-010 with Kupava-470011).jpg|MAZ-4571 box truck

File:MAZ-6501C9 long-haul truck with MAZ-856100 trailer (01).jpg|MAZ-6501 flatbed truck with trailer

File:BAMAP-2019 exhibition (Minsk, Belarus) — Выставка БАМАП-2019 (Минск, Беларусь) 00007.jpg|MAZ-5440 semi-trailer truck

File:Concrete mixer on MAZ chassis (01).jpg|MAZ-6516 concrete mixer truck

File:Armenian-Iranian border, Nurduz 01 (cropped).jpg|MAZ-6430 tractor unit towing a tank trailer at the border between Armenia and Iran

File:Milk tanker ACIP-12I with milk tanker-trailer on MAZ chassis (01).jpg|MAZ-6312 milk tank truck

File:MAZ dump truck 2.jpg|MAZ-6516 dump truck (orange)

File:MAZ vehicle, Minsk (March 2020) p015.jpg|MAZ-6312 logging truck in Minsk

{{Reflist}}

• Peter J. Davies: Trucks of the World - The encyclopedia of makes and models from 2002. Motor Book, Stuttgart. {{ISBN|3-613-02257-5}} .

{{Commons category|Minsky Avtomobilny Zavod}}

• [http://www.maz.by/en/ Official site]
• [http://www.maz-man.com/ Official Maz-Man website]
• [http://kuruh.ru/maz MAZ - russian history]

{{MAZ}}

{{Automotive industry in Belarus}}

{{Russian Automotive Makers}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|53|51|44|N|27|39|15|E|region:BY_type:landmark|display=title}}

Category:Truck manufacturers of the Soviet Union

Category:Bus manufacturers of Belarus

Category:Trolleybus manufacturers

Category:Truck manufacturers of Belarus

Category:Defence companies of the Soviet Union

Category:Bus manufacturers of the Soviet Union

Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1944

Category:1944 establishments in Belarus

Category:1944 establishments in the Soviet Union

Category:Economy of Minsk

Category:Companies based in Minsk

Category:Belarusian brands

Category:Soviet brands

Category:Electric vehicle manufacturers of Belarus

Category:Belarusian entities subject to U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions