Leapmotor Plans EV Production Project in Bukhara

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The hokim of the Bukhara region, Botir Zaripov, held talks with a delegation from Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd. led by Vice President Lei Ming, focusing on the implementation of an automotive production project in the region.

Earlier, on 1 April, a meeting chaired by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reviewed the results of reforms in the Bukhara region and its economic development prospects. During that session, an initiative was presented to gradually launch vehicle production in partnership with the Chinese company.

According to the plan, production will be scaled up in stages. In 2026, the project aims to produce 20,000 vehicles with projected revenue of US$50 million. In 2027, output is expected to double to 40,000 units with revenue of US$100 million. Further expansion targets include 60,000 vehicles in 2028, 100,000 in 2029, 150,000 in 2030, and up to 200,000 vehicles by 2031, with projected revenue of US$350 million.

The project includes production of models B10, B10L, A10, C01, and C16, alongside gradual localization of components such as bumpers, seats, glass, door panels, tires, mirrors, wiring harnesses, batteries, dashboards, and lighting equipment.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation, increasing import substitution, and boosting domestic value added. In the long term, the Bukhara region is expected to become an automotive and logistics hub for Central Asia, supporting both domestic demand and export expansion to neighboring markets.

The project also foresees job creation, with around 200 jobs in 2026, increasing to 1,000 by 2028 and up to 3,000 by 2031.

Special attention was given to workforce training through cooperation with Bukhara State Technical University, INHA University in Tashkent, the University of Information Technologies, and Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent.

Both sides also discussed measures to accelerate project implementation and further expand cooperation.