The path to a million: how did UzAuto change in Ne...
"Uzbek UzAuto Motors intends to become a leader in the automotive industry in the CIS and produce up to a million cars", "A new automotive giant may emerge on the expanses of the CIS" - one can find news under such headlines more and more often on the expanses of the world internet media. In front of this recognition lies not just numbers, but the hard work of virtually all sectors of Uzbekistan.
As a result of the reforms of the country's leader and the implementation of the New Uzbekistan development strategy, which fundamentally changed all internal processes and enhanced the country's prestige on the global stage, the automotive industry has moved to a new stage in its activity, where the main priorities are the expansion and modernisation of production, development of technology and science, and the creation of a solid base for building competitive and high-tech products.
The increase in production volumes due to modernization and optimization of production processes allowed UzAuto Motors to achieve historical records - since 2016, production volumes have increased by 269%. The introduction of new production technologies, equipment upgrades and improved staff competencies have transformed UzAuto Motors into a CIS automotive giant from a leader in Central Asia.
Today, UzAuto Motors is transitioning to producing only the most modern vehicles, particularly the Chevrolet Tracker and Onix. More than 5,000 engineers, some of whom are graduates of the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent, have been involved in the introduction of the new car models. Foreign and local specialists were involved in the production of 1,500 parts for the Chevrolet Tracker and Onix at 200 enterprises in Uzbekistan.
Additionally, Uzavtosanoat has implemented 12 new localisation projects for the production of these vehicles in Uzbekistan, including new factories and high-tech production lines totalling $312 million. The introduction of new production facilities has created around 4,500 new jobs.
The new vehicles are built on UzAuto Motors' Global Emerging Markets (GEM) platform, which allows the production of several types of vehicles without additional engineering solutions. A total of $427.6 million has been invested to develop this project.
The production of the innovative CSS Prime engine family using advanced high-pressure aluminium cylinder block technology was mastered at UzAuto Motors Powertrain from the ground up. The innovative technology has resulted in a factory in Uzbekistan that is unique in the entire CIS and has helped to increase the overall percentage of localisation for Chevrolet Onix and Tracker vehicles.
The production of cast iron parts was launched at the new foundry "KOVA Foundry" in the Andijan region, which was built from scratch. In order to develop new types of products with high added value, the company implemented the most advanced and new technologies for the industry, including all cycles of metal processing: melting, casting, molding and high-precision machining. The 18,000-tonne-per-year facility adds up to 10 times the value-added of raw materials and replaces $21 million worth of imported parts.
As part of the localisation programme, UzAuto's facilities set up production of radiators with a modern engine cooling system, a Joyson Safety Systems multifunctional steering wheel with car control and airbag functions, modern and safe plastic petrol tanks using a unique technology. In addition, UzKoram-Co Ltd. has mastered the production of side mirrors for Chevrolet Onix and Tracker vehicles.
The production and processing of plastic and rubber parts using modern methods, including extrusion, was set up for the first time. Also, ultrasonic welding of plastic parts and two-part injection moulding of plastics has been introduced, which allows achieving high rates of tightness and shock or vibration absorption.
