UzAuto Motors, the largest Uzbek automaker formerly known as GM Uzbekistan, has just started production of the 2023 Chevy Onix sedan in the Central Asian country.
General Motors’ main partner in Uzbekistan began series production of the 2023 Chevy Onix sedan a few days ago at the Asaka plant, the former local manufacturing center of the American company that continued the assembly of several Chevrolet models after the dissolution of GM Uzbekistan in 2019. The Onix arrives as a result of a significant investment to expand UzAuto’s production capacity and boost the development of the Uzbekistan automotive industry.
In fact, UzAuto Motors reported that 2023 Chevy Onix sedan manufacturing in Uzbekistan is the product of a $427.6 million investment that expanded the facilities and modernized equipment at the Asaka plant, doubling its annual production capacity to 500,000 units. In addition, the project also involved the construction of new factories from local suppliers and the creation of around 4,500 new jobs.
The investment package not only includes the manufacturing and assembly of 2023 Chevy Onix sedan units in Uzbekistan, but also the model’s engines. The UzAuto Motors powertrain plant received production of two new highly efficient 1.2L three-cylinder engines for the Onix, a 90-horsepower naturally aspirated variant and a 132-horsepower turbocharged unit for the range-topping trim level.
Notably, the 2023 Chevy Onix sedan’s manufacturing start in Uzbekistan is part of the cooperation agreements between GM and UzAuto signed late last year to deepen the alliance and substantially increase Chevrolet sales in the Uzbek market. The efforts of both companies and their suppliers allowed for 50 percent localization of Chevy Onix parts, rising to 70 percent by the end of the year.
The 2023 Chevy Onix sedan is already in production at the UzAuto Asaka plant and has been officially launched in Uzbekistan, with the assistance of the North American automaker’s SAIC-GM joint venture in China – which makes the exact same model variant and the base powertrain technology. As such, the Asaka plant becomes the third current production center for the second-generation Onix, alongside the GM Dong Yue plant in China and the GM Gravataà plant in Brazil.
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Comments
Now this is what Chevy should be offering in the US as the entry level, most affordable vehicle in the lineup. Not a near clone to the Trailblazer that will run 70% higher starting price than the base Spark we lost.
USA the called First World … Brasil called 3rd word, but this car since long… ok the Design came from SAIC … but … Uzbekistan .. (do you know wher it is ?!) nevermind came as 2nd
It is a part of the former soviet union in Central Asia. Last year uzautomotors sold over 320 thousand chevy cars and became number 1 car manufacturer in post soviet region
How about both the new Trax and this Onix as entry-level. I would argue the 1.2L three-cylinder engine at 90 hp is not appropriate for the US market (it’s what I call a Fred and Barney mobile). And I love that the car has more traditional headlights – not a fan of the new spilt design with small led projector lights.
As noted before, I’m with you on US automakers still offering cars in its lineups. But there is a place for both “boxes” and cars in today’s marketplace.
Looks better than the new Aveo
Deivis, a correction in your article. The China made Onix does not have the same powertrain. While it keeps the same 6 speed transmission, the engine is not the same. The UZ Auto is the same CSS engine that it is put onto all the GEM vehicles while the China one is a 1.0L T RPO LIV (which is a DI instead of a MPFI). The RPO of the Onix elsewhere as options are: L4F, L4H, L4G & LIF. The LIF & L4H are the ones used by UZAuto.
Hi Sonic! You’re right.
There was a writing error. The phrase ‘exact same’ only applies to sedan variant of model. Thank you for observation!
In that case, do you know where the transmissions for Uzauto is manufactured?
What a shame. GM invests $427 million in another foreign plant but didn’t have the $300 million to upgrade its former second largest assembly complex in the USA at Lordstown.
This investment made by Uzbek side, GM sold to Uzbek side machinery and equipment, engineering services…
I was just in Uzbekistan. Amazing country! Very clean, great people. Chevys everywhere. In UZ a Malibu is considered a luxury car.
How Are The Uzbekistan Women Overthere?
Where I Live In Brooklyn NYC USA 🇺🇸 In The Sheepshead Bay & Brighton Beach Area There Are Many People Who Have Immigrated From Uzbekistan. There Is A Great Supermarket I Shop At Called Tashkent Supermarket. They Have Excellent Prepared Foods. Clean & Very Efficiently Maintained.
I am from Uzbekistan, we love guests so please come to Uzbekistan
GM needs to bring all of the Onix models to NA, Sedan , Hatch and new cross over variant.
We need a small car to replace the Sonic and Spark. These both were very popular and were very good small cars.
I remember when many manufacturers started to bring very small pick up trucks into NA, Ford Courier, Chev LUV, Toyota and Datsun, etc. These were very basic and far more utilitarian than anything on the market at that time , but they sold like hot cakes.
Look at the last Spark, in Canada these were always sold out, the sales volume was always dependent on product availability , there was never enough to meet demand.
GM could sell the Onix here , but they need to have production in a place so the cars could be made and sold in NA at a profit , otherwise no one will do it.