Yugo

Zastava’s small-car venture began as a licensed Fiat 127 derivative in Kragujevac, Yugoslavia. Series production of the hatchback that would become the Yugo kicked off on November 28, 1980, when the Zastava 102, soon renamed Yugo 45, rolled off the assembly line. Early exports to the United Kingdom in 1981 and to the United States in August 1985 brought unexpected attention, positioning the brand as a symbol of Eastern European affordability. At its Cold War peak, Zastava was exporting to over 70 countries, with nearly 230,000 cars produced annually in the late 1980s. Despite being derided for rudimentary engineering, the Yugo carved out a cultural niche as the ultimate budget car. Its simple mechanics made DIY repairs feasible, endearing it to enthusiasts long after its U.S. withdrawal in 1992. Production ceased on November 11, 2008, but the marque’s cult status endures. A planned revival targeting a 2027 launch, offering gas and electric retro-hatchbacks, reflects a renewed appetite for no-frills motoring.