UzAuto sets up production of aluminium parts

UzAuto Motors Powertrain currently produces CSS Prime 1.2 LIF, 66 kW (89 hp) atmospheric engines and CSS Prime 1.2 L4H, 97 kW (131 hp) turbocharged engines

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: First German-Uzbek business forum was held on 1 March in Berlin. Representatives of Uzavtosanoat headed by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov attended the forum.

During the forum, Shavkat Umurzakov, chairman of the board of Uzavtosanoat, held discussions on further expansion of cooperation with representatives of KS HUAYU AluTech Group (Germany/China) in the production of aluminum engine parts produced in Uzbekistan.

During talks, managing directors of the German-Chinese company Ralf Linz and Michael Schaffler noted broad prospects for cooperation due to steadily growing volumes of passenger car production at UzAuto Motors. Having extensive experience in the development and production of engine blocks and cast parts, KS HUAYU will be a reliable partner for UzAuto in the implementation of the localization programme of the new generation CSS Prime engines for GEM Tracker and Onix models.

Production of CSS Prime engines was launched at UzAuto Motors Powertrain last December, marking a new stage in the automotive industry, which includes the production of such a high-tech unit. The organisation of casting aluminium cylinder blocks for these engines with their further high precision processing will create strong basis for enhancing competitiveness of Uzbek products, reduce import substitution by US$24.7 million and decrease production cost by US$4.7 million.

The cost of project on organization of production of aluminium cylinder blocks on a full cycle is over US$27 million with annual turnover of US$22.6 million. In order to establish modern foundry and high precision machining shop with annual capacity of 190,000 tons at UzAuto Motors Powertrain, additional 1,540 square meters of production area will be allocated. Also, an additional 50 jobs will be created at the enterprise under the project.

The new smelting and machining complex will include all stages of aluminium processing, namely

• Smelting;
• High pressure moulding;
• Painting;
• Initial machining;
• Precision machining.

During the talks, an agreement was also reached to organise a system of professional development and training for Uzbek specialists based on best German practices. In addition to introducing the most advanced and state-of-the-art technologies into the automotive industry, the joint project with German partners will create a broad pool of highly qualified specialists in manufacturing and management.

UzAuto Motors Powertrain currently produces CSS Prime 1.2 LIF, 66 kW (89 hp) atmospheric engines and CSS Prime 1.2 L4H, 97 kW (131 hp) turbocharged engines. Production investment in the CSS Prime line is approximately US$190 million, increasing the plant’s production capacity to 400,000 diesel engines per year (including 190,000 CSS Prime engines). The new line consists of state-of-the-art equipment from leading manufacturers in France, Germany, China and Korea, and is 55% robotic.

KS HUAYU AluTech GmbH is a group of companies comprising Rheinmetall AG (Germany) and HUAYU Automotive Systems Co. Ltd. (HASCO, China). As a leading manufacturer of lightweight aluminium components, KS HUAYU and KPSNC have production facilities in Germany and China.