Uzbekistan’s Automotive Import Trends and Market Dynamics in Early 2025
Uzbekistan imported 4,415 cars valued at $75.9 million in early 2025, led by China. Car sales dropped 14.5%, with domestic production stable and foreign sales declining sharply due to market shifts. January saw significant import reductions, particularly in hybrids, while February showed slight import recovery, though overall volumes remained low compared to 2024.
In the first two months of 2025, Uzbekistan imported a total of 4,415 passenger cars, as reported by the National Statistics Committee. The cumulative value of these imports reached approximately $75.9 million, with China being the primary supplier, providing 3,149 vehicles. South Korea was the second-largest exporter, delivering 1,191 units, followed by Japan with 32 units. Germany, the United States, and Mexico contributed modestly with 11, 8, and 8 units, respectively.
Despite these import figures, there was a notable decline in passenger car sales, which fell by 14.5% in February 2025 compared to January, totaling 67,200 vehicles. This downturn primarily arose from diminished demand for foreign cars, potentially indicating a shift in consumer preferences or market dynamics. In contrast, the sale of domestically produced cars remained stable at 21,700 units.
Sales of newly imported foreign cars, however, decreased by more than half, raising questions about potential supply chain issues. The Customs Committee noted a significant drop in car imports in January 2025, which fell nearly sixfold from the previous year. Hybrid car imports experienced an even larger decline, plummeting 31 times, leading to a total of 1,796 cars imported valued at $31 million.
February’s import activity improved somewhat, with 2,570 passenger cars imported, valued at nearly $45 million. Yet, when compared to the same period in 2024, the overall import volumes declined substantially, with values shrinking by 3.53 times and unit imports dropping by 2.82 times. This trend highlights ongoing challenges in the automotive sector within Uzbekistan.
In summary, Uzbekistan’s automotive imports rose in early 2025, primarily driven by imports from China and South Korea. However, passenger car sales experienced a notable decline, particularly in foreign vehicles, suggesting shifts in consumer preferences or supply issues. The substantial decrease in car imports from the prior year signifies a challenging market environment for the automotive industry in Uzbekistan, compounded by issues in hybrid and electric vehicle sectors.
Original Source: daryo.uz
