Special
attention to the development of the country’s automotive industry is well
justified. The sector plays an important role in creating high added value,
fostering industrial cooperation, creating thousands of jobs, and expanding
export opportunities.
In recent
years, Uzbekistan’s automotive industry has entered a new stage of development
focused on competition and consumer interests. Whereas a decade ago the
automotive market was dominated by a single manufacturer and long queues, today
five automobile plants operate in cooperation with major brands such as
Chevrolet, BYD, KIA, and Hyundai.
Most importantly,
the population directly feels these changes. The range of products on the
market has expanded, and long queues have disappeared. This year, 20 banks have
been involved in financing car purchases, resulting in 95 percent of vehicles
being sold through installment plans and an accessible credit system.
At the same
time, the production of automobiles and components for markets in neighboring
countries is growing. New cooperation chains are forming around the industry,
with more than 10,000 young specialists working with modern technologies. Over
300 enterprises supply components for Chevrolet, while around 40 enterprises
supply components for KIA and BYD.
During the
presentation, progress toward reaching the 1 million mark in the automotive
industry, in both production volume and employment, was reviewed.
The large
number of project proposals for the production and assembly of passenger and
commercial vehicles indicates that a favorable investment climate and a highly
liquid market are taking shape in Uzbekistan. At the same time, it was
emphasized that each project must be evaluated in terms of market demand and
economic efficiency, with a primary focus on ensuring competitiveness in
foreign markets.
The
presentation also covered the Volkswagen vehicle production project. According
to the plan, the first stage involves launching large-scale assembly operations
in Tashkent. The next stage will focus on establishing a full production cycle
in the Angren Free Economic Zone, increasing localization, and entering foreign
markets.
The current
global situation is said to have a significant impact on the automotive
industry. In this regard, particular attention was given to ensuring
technological independence, introducing innovations, and developing a competitive
national product less dependent on export and logistical constraints.
It was
noted that modern engineering schools have been established in Andijan and
Jizzakh, where a new generation of young researchers and engineers is emerging,
and that the country has the intellectual potential to develop a domestic
automotive brand.
To this
end, a decision was made to expand research and development activities across
the Uzavtosanoat JSC system.
The auto
components market was identified as a major opportunity for the industry.
In this
regard, particular attention was given to regulating the components market,
increasing the share of locally produced goods, improving the certification
system, and establishing modern testing laboratories. A task was set to
develop, by the end of 2026, in collaboration with international consulting
companies, a strategy for the automotive spare parts market.
The
President stressed that the automotive industry is a strategic sector of the
national economy and issued specific instructions to strengthen competition,
deepen localization, and develop a national engineering school within the
industry.