TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 20. Uzbekistan has sold 1.69 million vehicles in 2023, which is 18 percent more year-on-year, Trend reports.
The data from the Center for Economic Research and Reform (CERR) shows that peak figures were recorded in May and October, when sales exceeded 156,000 and 186,000 vehicles, respectively.
A total of 379,000 new passenger cars were sold last year, an increase of 33 percent, of which over 333,000 were domestically produced (sales growth of 25 percent).
Sales of new foreign cars increased 2.4 times over the year and amounted to 46,000 cars. Imports of passenger cars increased 2.2 times in the first 11 months of 2023 and amounted to $1.56 billion.
The growth of imports in this segment of the car market was largely influenced by the reduction of customs duties. In particular, the rates of customs duties on imported cars were reduced in two stages: two times (from 30 percent to 15 percent) from February 2022 and additional coefficients depending on the engine volume, and from January 2023 the rate was set at 15 percent with the reduction of an additional coefficient. In addition, the growth of imports of new foreign cars was stimulated by the reduction of customs duties on small cars.
Sales in the secondary car market increased by 12.6 percent to 1.16 million cars over the year.
Experts also note the growing interest of Uzbeks in electric cars.
Thus, sales in this segment jumped 4.3 times to 25,700 electric cars in 2023. The largest share of sales is in Tashkent (almost 71 percent); the least was sold in the Surkhandarya region (123 electric cars).
Meanwhile, "Dongfeng Motor" plans to open production of electric buses in Uzbekistan, investing $45 million in the project. The volume of investments will rise to $50 million in 2025 to localize the production of batteries and other components for electric vehicles, as well as organize a maintenance service.