Volkswagen AG announced the entry of its Volkswagen and Jetta brands into the Uzbekistan market, a move the company says is notable because it will be the first time Volkswagen runs an export market entirely via its China operations. The automaker framed the expansion as a response to rising vehicle demand in Uzbekistan.
In supporting materials, Volkswagen highlighted recent growth in the Uzbek auto market, noting that vehicle demand rose to more than 461,000 units in 2025 from under half that level in 2021. To establish a retail footprint, Volkswagen plans to operate at 13 sales locations by the end of this year, with a target of nearly 26 dealerships by 2028.
The initial selection of models to be offered in Uzbekistan includes the Tiguan L Pro, the Passat Pro, the Teramont Pro and several vehicles from the Jetta brand. Volkswagen said these models will form the first phase of its product lineup for the market while exports begin under the China-based management structure.
Looking beyond initial sales, Volkswagen indicated that adding local production capacity in Uzbekistan is the next step to supplement vehicle exports. The company described the move as part of a wider strategy to pursue growth markets across the Commonwealth of Independent States region, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
This announcement emphasizes a distribution and market-entry approach that routes an export market through Chinese operations rather than directly from Europe or local subsidiaries. Volkswagen presented planned dealership expansion, the named model lineup, and the intention to introduce local manufacturing as the core elements of this rollout.
Context and implications
- Volkswagen’s Uzbekistan launch is being managed through its China operations, a first for the company in exporting to a foreign market.
- The company has identified a stepwise retail expansion: 13 locations this year, scaling to nearly 26 by 2028.
- Initial models named for the market are the Tiguan L Pro, Passat Pro, Teramont Pro and cars from the Jetta brand, with local production planned to follow.