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Türkiye’s commercial vehicle brand Anadolu Isuzu agreed Tuesday to acquire up to 75.2% of the shares in SamAuto, which has long operated in Uzbekistan as a joint venture with Japan’s Isuzu and Itochu, marking the company’s return to Turkish ownership following Koc Holding’s exit in 2007.
According to the company, following the transfer process to be completed in the coming days, Anadolu Isuzu will significantly expand its production and distribution network in Central Asia. With this acquisition, certain models produced at SamAuto’s facilities will be added to Anadolu Isuzu’s product range, while some Anadolu Isuzu models are planned to be manufactured at the SamAuto plant.
The company confirmed that the share transfer process will be completed in the coming days. Once finalized, Anadolu Isuzu will expand its production and distribution presence in Central Asia, while also integrating SamAuto’s manufacturing capabilities into its own product lineup.
Following the news, Anadolu Isuzu's shares listed on Borsa Istanbul, Türkiye's stock exchange, rose over 5%.
According to Anadolu Isuzu, certain vehicle models currently manufactured at SamAuto’s facilities will be added to its product portfolio. In return, some of Anadolu Isuzu’s models will begin production at the SamAuto plant in Samarkand. The company stated that this move is aimed at enhancing efficiency, diversifying product offerings, and creating direct access to new high-potential markets in the region.
Tugrul Arikan, general manager of Anadolu Isuzu, said the investment represents one of the most significant steps in strengthening the company’s international presence. "This acquisition will allow us to represent Türkiye’s engineering and industrial capabilities more strongly on the global stage," Arikan noted, adding that the deal is expected to boost production capacity and operational efficiency.
Anadolu Isuzu currently exports innovative vehicles developed at its R&D center to more than 45 countries. With the addition of SamAuto, the company aims to position Uzbekistan as a strategic production hub, serving not only the domestic market but also neighboring countries across Central Asia.
The acquisition underlines Anadolu Isuzu’s long-term strategy of expanding into international markets, where demand for commercial vehicles—including buses, trucks, pickups, and specialized vehicles—remains strong.
By combining SamAuto’s established sales and after-sales network with Anadolu Isuzu’s engineering expertise and more than four decades of industry experience, the two sides are expected to create a new platform for regional growth, according to the company.
SamAuto was founded in 1996 as a joint venture between Uzbekistan’s state-owned UzAvtoSanoat and Türkiye’s Koc Holding. Since 1999, it has operated a production facility in Samarkand with its headquarters in Tashkent. The company produces a wide range of commercial vehicles, from buses and trucks to pickups and utility models.
In 2006, Koc Holding’s stake was acquired by UzAvtoSanoat, and the company was renamed SamAvto. Since 2007, it has operated in partnership with Japan’s Isuzu and Itochu, becoming a leading player in Central Asia’s commercial vehicle market.
Founded in 1965, Anadolu Isuzu is a joint venture between Anadolu Holding and Japan’s Itochu and Isuzu. It is one of Türkiye’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, operating 35 dealerships in 45 countries, and reported annual revenue of ₺18.9 billion ($454.49 million) in 2024.
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