Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Frank-Walter Steinmeier launch Volkswagen assembly plant in Tashkent

The two leaders held comprehensive discussions focused on advancing Uzbek–German partnership. Following the meeting, they signed a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to deepening multifaceted cooperation. The sides also exchanged bilateral agreements focused on financial collaboration, which will secure grant funding and preferential financing from Germany for sustainable urban development projects in Uzbekistan.

The high-level meeting served as the launchpad for several commercial and industrial projects. Central to these is the newly opened semi-knocked-down (SKD) assembly plant for Volkswagen passenger cars in Tashkent. The launch included a broadcast from the Volkswagen City Mall dealership center in the capital.

Beyond the automotive sector, several other industrial and logistics partnerships were rolled out:

• A new liquid detergents manufacturing facility, established in partnership with the German consumer goods giant Henkel, has commenced operations in the Tashkent region.

• Construction has officially begun on a new joint logistics center in Andijan region, developed by Uztemiryulkonteyner (Uzbekistan Railways Container Service) and the Germany-based Rhenus Group.

• Two joint educational initiatives have been introduced in Tashkent, including specialized training courses for the railway industry established alongside Deutsche Bahn, and a new Telc German language examination center.

The launch of the automotive assembly plant follows a licensing and technological cooperation contract signed in June 2025 between the German manufacturer and Alyans Auto, a subsidiary of the state-owned automotive holding Uzauto Industry (Uzavtosanoat). Martin Sander, Volkswagen Passenger Cars board member for sales, marketing, and after-sales, previously indicated that the brand intends to assemble eight different models.

According to Sander, the assembly process will utilize vehicle kits supplied from China. This logistical framework is designed to efficiently serve the regional market while minimizing the company's carbon footprint.

The Tashkent facility marks the first phase of an expanded production roadmap. President Mirziyoyev reviewed the development strategy earlier in May 2026, which outlines plans to transition from initial SKD assembly in Tashkent to a full-production cycle (CKD) at a manufacturing site in Angren. Ulugbek Rozukulov, the chairman of Uzauto Industry, stated that seven models will eventually be manufactured simultaneously. These vehicles are slated for both the domestic market in Uzbekistan and for export across the CIS, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, with initial production volumes hitting the market later this year.