From Mercedes to Malibu: Uzbekistan’s top officials swap luxury cars for locally made vehicles

In line with a presidential directive, government ministries and agencies in Uzbekistan are phasing out Mercedes-Benz service vehicles. Kun.uz reached out to national-level government organizations to find out what alternative vehicles senior officials are now using.

On March 5, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to drastically reduce the use of official vehicles and transition to domestically produced cars and furniture. Following this directive, officials have begun using vehicles sold by local manufacturers for official purposes.

For instance, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov has switched from Mercedes-Benz to Chevrolet Malibu. His deputies have also adopted the Malibu, while regional governors are now using Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Traverse models.

On March 7, Abdulla Aripov held a meeting where he instructed all officials to discontinue the use of foreign service vehicles.

Kun.uz contacted government press services to determine what specific models ministers and equivalent-ranking officials have switched to:

• Minister of Defense Major General Shuhrat Khulmukhamedov uses a Trailblazer, which was assigned to him when he served as First Deputy Minister. Additionally, he has an Isuzu D-Max pickup for use in training grounds.
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov and his deputies were already using Malibu before the directive and continue to do so.
• All senior officials in the Ministry of Internal Affairs now drive Malibu, according to the ministry’s press service.
• Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Kungiratbay Sharipov, who previously used a Mercedes-Benz, currently does not use a service vehicle. His previous car is in the process of being handed over to state assets, and he is expected to receive a Malibu as a replacement.
• Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov, who previously used an S-Class Mercedes, now drives a BYD HAN electric vehicle purchased three years ago under a state program to support EV production. No new funds were allocated for a Malibu, as the ministry repurposed an existing vehicle within its fleet.
• Minister of Construction and Housing Sherzod Hidoyatov had already switched to a Malibu before the president’s announcement.
• Minister of Preschool and School Education Hilola Umarova has also switched to a Malibu.
• Minister of Mining and Geology Bobur Islamov has given up his Mercedes-Benz. He is currently on an official visit to France with the president, and a replacement vehicle will be determined upon his return.
• Minister of Culture Ozodbek Nazarbekov is still using a Mercedes-Benz, but the ministry plans to acquire a GM vehicle soon. The specific model is still under discussion.
• Minister of Justice Akbar Toshqulov, Minister of Transport Ilhom Mahkamov, and Tax Committee Chairman Sherzod Kudbiyev have all switched from Mercedes-Benz to Malibu.
• Newly appointed Minister of Emergency Situations Botir Kudratkhodjayev is now using a Traverse.
• Chairman of the Supreme Court Bakhtiyor Islamov and Prosecutor General Nigmatilla Yuldashev have also switched to Malibu.
• Customs Committee Chairman Akmalhoja Mavlonov, who previously used Mercedes-Benz, is temporarily using a BYD electric vehicle but is expected to switch to Malibu.
• Director of the Bureau of Compulsory Enforcement Muzaffar Egamberdiev has been using a Gentra even before the directive.
• Director of the Cadastral Agency Farrukh Polatov has reportedly been using a Malibu for a long time.

For reference, the official dealership price of a Chevrolet Malibu starts at 375 million UZS, a Chevrolet Traverse is available at a discounted price of 657 million UZS, while a Chevrolet Tahoe — which is more expensive than many foreign vehicles — starts at 1.109 billion UZS.