Market manipulation? Leapmotor’s import ban sparks controversy

Uzbekistan has halted the certification process for Leapmotor passenger cars, citing a defect identified in the C16 model as the reason.

According to the Inspection for Technical Regulation, the level of electromagnetic noise generated by this vehicle exceeds the permitted limit by 16 times.

Public figures believe that the move is an attempt to clear the market for local car manufacturers.

“A model-specific issue turns into a brand-wide ban”

Economist Otabek Bakirov suggested that the ban on Leapmotor may be linked to declining sales of locally produced vehicles.

"Look, the excuse is ready: a 'defect' is found in a single car model, leading to a complete ban on an entire lineup of cars. Apparently, that’s not even enough for them," he wrote.

“How does a defect in one model justify a ban on the whole brand?”

The Autodeklarant channel also questioned why the authorities imposed a blanket ban on the brand based on a single model’s defect.

"To the Technical Regulation Agency: You found a ‘defect’ in one specific model and then banned the entire brand’s import.

"Why not apply the inspection results specifically to the affected model instead of making car owners go through cumbersome individual checks?"

“We found issues in a car being sold in Europe?”

Blogger Umid Gofurov expressed disbelief that while Leapmotor has entered the European market, it is now deemed defective in Uzbekistan – while the locally produced Damas, made for nearly 30 years, has never been found faulty.

"Now, bringing Leapmotor to Uzbekistan is banned due to defects. Imagine, a globally recognized brand with major investors is officially sold in Europe, but Uzbekistan somehow ‘discovered’ issues with it.

"Meanwhile, the Damas, which has been produced in Uzbekistan for 30 years, is completely flawless and meets all standards. Yet, the Leapmotor C16 fails? Should we laugh or cry? Maybe we need better testing grounds?"

Gofurov also sees the situation as an attempt to undermine fair competition in Uzbekistan.

"Coincidentally, a competitor of this company is already operating in Uzbekistan. They claim to be building a plant – who knows when it will be completed? Until then, they’re importing ready-made cars from China without paying any recycling tax.

"Price hikes don’t affect them. Meanwhile, Leapmotor, which had slowly gained a foothold in the market, is suddenly ‘found to have defects.’

"I wonder – which company will be next? Which brand will suddenly be deemed ‘faulty’ next?" he questioned.