Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi appreciated that these 40 tactical vehicles today are a clear contribution to strengthening the capacities of the Armed Forces.

Today, we bear witness to Albania’s rising industrial capacity in the defense sector—a long-held ambition finally realized. As noted, this milestone stems directly from the implementation of the KAYO and defense industry laws. Through the concrete partnership between KAYO and TIMAK, TIMAK Defense has delivered the first 40 domestically produced vehicles to our Armed Forces three months ahead of schedule, comprising 35 light tactical 4+1 vehicles and 5 trucks, said Nufi.

According to him, “Our objective remains completely clear: we must build a modern defense industry, capable of meeting the needs of our institutions and all the commitments we have within the North Atlantic Alliance, but at the same time also integrating international supply chains by meeting the highest standards of quality and reliability,” he said.

Nufi underlined that this is a strategic investment for the future of the country.

The minister also added that by the end of the year, 50 more vehicles from the TIMAK Defense company are expected to be delivered to the Armed Forces. /m.q/a.f/p.s./

Minister of Internal Affairs Besfort Lamallari closely inspected the operation at Lundër, regarded as the largest site for confiscated vehicles in years.

Lamallari said that, “Recycling 2,553 old vehicles will clear space and yield maximum financial returns. These revenues generated from seized criminal assets will be utilized to strengthen key institutions—including the Police, SPAK, and municipalities”.

According to Lamallari, this operation continues on a national scale.

All 15,000 cars and motorcycles across 24 nationwide collection points have been auctioned.

In Lundër there are 1400 cars and motorcycles and the territory being freed today is 9.5 ha. /k.s/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today a view of the work of this agency in Mullet, Tirana highlighting, “The agency’s work in dismantling and recycling old vehicles. This initiative aims to clear rusted ‘graveyards’ and reduce environmental hazards, adhering to strict standards”.

This intervention aims to put an end to the phenomenon of so-called “car cemeteries”, created over decades by the accumulation of seized vehicles, which had become sources of pollution and occupied public spaces in the country’s municipalities.

In this context, the authorities aim to transform these areas into green spaces and projects in the function of the community, restoring to public use considerable areas previously occupied by metal and inert waste.

The process initiated by the Seized Assets Agency is expected to settle a problem that has been inherited for more than three decades, while simultaneously contributing to improving the quality of urban life and protecting the environment. /gj.m/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Data from the General Directorate of Road Transport Services for January 2026 indicates strong demand for vehicles from premier global brands, mirroring citizen needs and preferences.

The Republic of Korea is on top of the list with 25.3% of registrations, followed by Germany with 15%, while Italy and China each contribute 13.1%. Switzerland represents 7.6%, while the United States of America accounts for 7.3% of the total.

According to the Directorate, this trend indicates a more competitive market and more open to different brands and technologies, offering more opportunities for citizens to choose the vehicle that best suits their needs and budget.

At the end of 2025, the number of road vehicles in circulation in Albania was 1,048,092.

Cars accounted for 80.8% of the total, motorcycles 6.1%, while mixed transport vehicles 5.8%.

By region, Tirana has the largest share with 34.7% of the total, followed by Durrës with 13.6%. Gjirokastra and Kukës have the lowest numbers, with 2.1% and 2.4%, respectively. /j.p/p.s./

Thus, in some road segments, the vehicles move in chains like in Vermosh-Dogana branch, Surel-Qafë Priskë-Qafë Mollë-Trau-Teleferik, Krujë-Sarisalltik, as well as in Qafë Mali-Fierzë.

Meanwhile, there are reported problems along Qafë Thore-Theth road, where the road is blocked as a result of avalanches as well as in Petrani Bridge area, where there have been active massive landslides.

Albanian Road Authority said that the contractor companies are on the ground with additional vehicles and workers, to clean and keep the road open, in order to guarantee normal traffic and avoid problems for road users.

The drivers are advised to show increased caution while traveling, to respect road signs and to use winter tires and chains, especially when moving towards mountainous areas where there is snow. /p.s./

The passenger cars are the dominant in the market, accounting for 80.8% of the registered vehicles, the motorcycles are 6%, while the mixed transport and commercial vehicles account for 5.9% of the total.

Tirana holds the leading position in national level with 34.7% of the total vehicles, followed by Durrës with 13.6%. These two regions are the ones with the largest number of vehicles in circulation, reflecting the highest population density and economic development.

On the other hand, Gjirokastra and Kukës have the lowest numbers of vehicles, with 2.2% and 2.4% of the total vehicles, respectively.

The new vehicle registrations also increased by 1.6%, with a total of 26,614 vehicles registered for the first time during this quarter. Of these, 82.3% were cars.

Volkswagen is the leading brand in new registrations with 19.8% of the market, followed by Mercedes Benz with 17%, demonstrating a continuous preference for these two well-known brands.

Tirana also led in new registrations, with 39.5% of the vehicles registered for the first time in this period. /j.p/p.s./

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku shared moments from this event in the social media.

Balluku said that, “In this fair, the Directorate presented retro and historical cars, bringing the energy, passion and rhythm of Tirana Grand Prix among the history and elegance of vehicles that have left their trace in time”.

The Albanian participation was praised for promoting automotive culture and the historical heritage of vehicles, highlighting the passion for movement that does not stop.

The Directorate said that it will continue to participate in international fairs, emphasizing the significance of promoting Albania in the European arena of classic vehicles. /e.xh//a.f//r.e/p.s./

In a television interview, Progni emphasized that all these vehicles have gone through the procedures of the Verification Commission and are part of a process that has been underway since 2019, when the first steps of the RETRO project were taken within the framework of the General Directorate.

According to him, this initiative is focused on increasing the number of RETRO vehicles in the country, strengthening cooperation with the International Federation of Antique Vehicles FIVA, organizing promotional activities in different areas of Albania and encouraging the participation of young people in the preservation and promotion of automotive heritage.

“One of the most important upcoming events is Albania’s participation in an international RETRO vehicle event in Bologna, Italy, to be held on October 23, 2025, where our country will be represented with some of the most representative historical vehicles,” said Progni, while announcing that, “During this event, there will also be promoted the major “Tirana Grand Prix” activity, scheduled to be held in 2026.”

Meanwhile, for the month of November, on the occasion of national holidays, the General Directorate has planned a special event with RETRO vehicles, while at the end of the year there will be held the traditional “Retro Christmas” event, which has now become an annual celebration for the community passionate about historical vehicles.

“One of our main goals is that through these events to promote the values ​​of our automotive heritage to young people as they are showing more and more interest in the history that these vehicles represent,” said Progni. /e.xh//a.f/p.s./

There are several spaces used for years as collection points for the seized or confiscated vehicles and they are being restored one by one into the service of the citizens.

Minister of Internal Affairs Albana Koçiu, together with Minister of Defense Pirro Vengu, Chief Inspector of the Agency for the Administration of the Sequestered and Confiscated Assets Risena Xhaja, Deputy Mayor of Vlora Municipality and the local director of the Police, inspected the space occupied by cars in Vlora, which will be cleared up for community services.

The space in Narta area is one of the 24 spots throughout the country that the State Police uses for all the confiscated and seized vehicles.

Koçiu said that since the beginning of September, together with the agency, there has been launched a nationwide campaign to clear up all these points, which occupy a considerable area throughout the country, to adjust them and to select all those assets that have currently been deposited for years.

“The Agency has done a commendable job this month by selecting and identifying all the vehicles located at these spots, whether for scrap or for material evidence and are mandatory to be kept by the State Police, as well as all those vehicles that may be distributed to public institutions for use by them,” the Minister of Interior underlined.

Chief Inspector Xhaja informed that there are 8 collection points for vehicles in Vlora region.

“Based on records, there are 2,124 vehicles and motorbikes that have been seized and confiscated, of which 1,400 are going for scrap, so almost 80% of the area is cleared up. /p.s./

Addressing a meeting with business representatives at Tirana Industrial Park on Wednesday to discuss employment policies and workforce development strategies to build stronger, more inclusive labor market, the government head stated that Albania is experiencing a significant moment of development, particularly in the military industry.

PM Rama referred to the company TIMAK and its groundbreaking achievement in producing Albania’s first military vehicle prototype named “Shota,” saying the CEO of TIMAK Arjeta Puca is working to build a strategic partnership with one of the world’s largest companies operating in defense industry.

Rama stated that Albania will manufacture next generation military and combat vehicles for export to international markets.

PM Rama announced that a major partnership agreement has been signed and it will attract important investments worth hundreds of millions euros in the country’s dormant defense industry.

“Thanks to TIMAK and the foreign partner company, Albania will start exporting next generation combat vehicles. This is not happening today, but it is something that could not take place a few years ago,” Rama said.

The government head also noted that the revival of the country’s defense industry will open up new employment front and high-paying jobs for highly education and skilled professionals.

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