GM-AvtoVAZ is a joint venture between General Motors and AvtoVAZ set up in 1999. General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. AvtoVAZ ( (АвтоВАЗ is a Russian Automobile manufacturer, also known as VAZ, Volzhsky Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) It produces the Chevrolet Niva, based on the Lada Niva, and the Chevrolet Viva, based on the 1998 Opel Astra notchback. The Lada Niva (Лада Нива is an Off-road vehicle built by Russian automaker AutoVAZ. See also Vauxhall Astra and Holden Astra for the usage of the nameplate by other General Motors subsidiaries Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) See also Vauxhall Astra and Holden Astra for the usage of the nameplate by other General Motors subsidiaries Notchback is a form of Car body style; in different parts of the world the precise definition varies