The MOU was signed by GM DAT Vice President Product Planning & Program Management Dwenell Mills and UzAvtoSanoat Vice Chairman Shukhrat Yusupov, in the presence of Republic of Uzbekistan First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov.

Today’s agreement will enable GM Uzbekistan, a joint venture between GM and UzAvtoSanoat in Asaka, Uzbekistan, to manufacture and sell a new small Chevrolet vehicle developed for the rapidly growing emerging markets in the region. GM Uzbekistan already manufactures and markets models such as the Chevrolet Matiz, Lacetti and Captiva.

The MOU will also enable Chevrolet to continue to grow its business in Uzbekistan, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Russia.

"The excellent cars jointly produced and exported by UzAvtoSanoat and GM DAT are contributing greatly to the growth of Uzbekistan’s automotive industry and economic development," said Azimov. He continued, "Uzbekistan’s automotive industry will reach global standards in the near future with the help and support of General Motors and agreements like this one."

"Uzbekistan, where we recently also began construction of a new powertrain facility, is Chevrolet’s core production base in the high-potential markets of Central Asia and a significant strategic partner for our export business," said GM DAT President and CEO Mike Arcamone. "We will continue to support our Uzbekistan operations through the introduction of new products and the means to build them."

GM Uzbekistan was established in March 2008, with GM holding a 25% stake and UzAvtoSanoat the remaining 75%. The joint venture has an annual production capacity of 250,000 units. Its vehicles are sold in Uzbekistan via GM’s sales operations and exported to numerous neighboring countries.