TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 20. President of
Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals on the further
development of the country’s automotive industry, including plans
to expand production capacity and strengthen the sector’s
competitiveness, Trend reports via the Uzbekistan presidential press
service.
During the presentation, officials highlighted the strategic
importance of the automotive industry in creating high added value,
deepening industrial cooperation, generating employment, and
expanding export opportunities.
Uzbekistan’s automotive sector has undergone major
transformation in recent years. While the market was previously
dominated by a single producer and long waiting lists, the country
now operates five automobile plants in cooperation with
international brands including Chevrolet, BYD, KIA, and
Hyundai.
The presentation also emphasized improvements in the domestic
market. With the expansion of vehicle offerings and broader access
to car financing, waiting times for purchasing vehicles have
significantly decreased. This year, 20 banks joined auto financing
programs, resulting in around 95% of vehicle sales being carried
out through installment and credit schemes.
Officials stated that Uzbekistan is also expanding the
production of vehicles and automotive components for export markets
in neighboring countries. More than 300 enterprises currently
supply parts for Chevrolet production, while around 40 companies
cooperate with KIA and BYD. The industry now employs over 10,000
young specialists.
The meeting included discussions on plans to raise both
automotive production and employment in the sector to 1
million.
According to the presentation, the growing number of investment
proposals for passenger and commercial vehicle production reflects
the emergence of a favorable investment climate and a highly liquid
market in Uzbekistan. At the same time, officials stressed that all
projects should be evaluated based on market demand, economic
efficiency, and export competitiveness.
Information was also presented on a planned Volkswagen
production project. Under the proposal, the first stage envisages
launch of semi-knocked-down assembly operations in Tashkent,
followed by the establishment of a full production cycle in the
“Angren” free economic zone with increased localization and
export-oriented production.
Participants noted that ongoing changes in the global automotive
industry require greater technological independence, innovation,
and the development of a competitive national automotive product
less dependent on external logistics and export restrictions.
The presentation further highlighted the establishment of modern
engineering schools in the Andijan and Jizzakh regions, aimed at
training a new generation of engineers and researchers and
supporting the future development of a domestic automotive
brand.
To support these efforts, authorities decided to strengthen
research and development activities within “Uzavtosanoat”.
President Mirziyoyev stressed the need to regulate the sector,
increase the share of locally produced components, improve
certification systems, and establish modern testing
laboratories.
The government was instructed to develop a strategy for the
automotive spare parts market by the end of 2026 with the
involvement of international consulting firms.
Following the presentation, President Mirziyoyev emphasized the
strategic role of the automotive industry in Uzbekistan’s economy
and issued instructions aimed at boosting competition, deepening
localization, and developing a national engineering base for the
sector.
