city, Tatarstan, west-central Russia, on the left bank of the Kama River. The city is best known for its Kamaz truck plant, among the world's largest. Also located at Naberezhnye Chelny is the Lower Kama hydroelectric station. Because of these developments, Naberezhnye Chelny experienced rapid growth beginning in the 1970s; by the early 21st century, however, this growth had tapered off. Pop. (2006 est.) 507,180.