Uzbekistan’s ADM Global presented the design for the country’s first national car brand, DOST, to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his visit to New Uzbekistan University on September 30.

Mirziyoyev visited the university on the eve of Teachers and Mentors Day, where he reviewed reforms across the education system, from preschool and schools to vocational and higher education, as well as the development of scientific infrastructure.

ADM showcased the DOST project at its technical laboratory, where university students are working with engineers from ADM Jizzakh on the vehicle’s development.

The company said that the project is intended to strengthen Uzbekistan’s domestic engineering capabilities and reduce reliance on external technical solutions in the automotive industry. 

ADM Jizzakh, described by the company as Uzbekistan’s first private multi-brand automobile plant, will draw on its existing manufacturing facilities and experience producing international brands to develop vehicles under its own marque.

ADM is currently developing the DOST concept and preparing its production site. The vehicle will initially enter the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment, with the company planning to use the launch to assess demand and refine its product and marketing strategy before moving into passenger cars.

The first DOST passenger-car prototype is expected to be unveiled early next year.

The project also forms part of ADM Global’s efforts to build an engineering talent pipeline in Uzbekistan. The company is working with New Uzbekistan University to develop an engineering ecosystem combining education, research and development and industrial production.

Students are being trained under a model based on standards used by major global automakers and are expected to combine theoretical study with practical work on engineering projects alongside ADM specialists.

At the university, Mirziyoyev toured facilities including the Future Engineers platform, Bloomberg Laboratory, the physics teaching laboratory, engineering sciences study hall and Apple Training Centre. 

He was also briefed on research at IDROCK Artificial Intelligence Cluster and laboratories focused on biotechnology and bioinformatics, materials science, laser and nanotechnology, and mechanical engineering.