The Lada automobile originated from a partnership between Fiat and the Russian government in 1966. Fiat provided the rights to the Fiat 124 model, which was adapted to create the first Lada model, the 2101. In 1977, the Lada Niva was introduced as an affordable 4-wheel drive vehicle. It has remained largely unchanged since then. The Lada Niva was used extensively in the construction of the Channel Tunnel between France and the UK due to its ruggedness and affordability.