BYD & UzAuto to produce EVs in Uzbekistan
BYD has announced a production facility for electric cars and plug-in hybrids in Uzbekistan. The facility will be established as part of a joint venture with Uzavtosanoat JSC (UzAuto) to produce BYD’s best-selling new energy vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and related components.
With the new joint venture, UzAuto and BYD aim to drive the market for new New Energy Vehicles in Central Asia and surrounding territories. So far, the Chinese automotive giant has not revealed further details on the planned production capacity and timetable, saying only the new plant will produce “best-selling NEVs including the DM-i super hybrid models”. The joint venture has yet to be founded, and is “expected to be located in Uzbekistan”. It is unclear whether there is already a location for the plant or whether it is still being sought.
Founded in 1994, UzAuto is the largest manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles in the region and already cooperates with OEMs such as General Motors, Sinotruck, MAN and Isuzu. UzAuto recently expanded its fields of business and now also exports its vehicles. Since 2020, the company has also been operating a production facility in Kazakhstan.
BYD discontinued the production of pure combustion vehicles last year and has since only built electric cars and plug-in hybrids. BYD manufactures not only the vehicles but also its own powertrain systems, batteries, semiconductors, motors and motor control systems.
Chairman of the Board, UzAuto, Mr Urmzakov Shavkat, said, “Synergy of BYD technology with UzAuto manufacturing capabilities will promote the widespread use of new energy vehicles in Uzbekistan as well as in neighbouring countries. Establishing the joint venture and bringing the latest technology is just the beginning of the long-term strategic partnership of our companies.”
Michael Shu, General Manager and Managing Director of BYD Europe and International Cooperation Division, underlined the company’s policy of collaboration, confirming that this is a core part of the BYD strategy. “It is important to work with other corporations who share the same vision,” he explained.
