- Kazakhstan’s automobile production increased by 17.8% in 2025, supported by expanding Chinese and Korean manufacturing operations and new assembly plant activity.
- Local vehicle sales and employment in Kazakhstan’s automotive sector also rose sharply as new OEM partnerships, joint ventures, and supply chain investments accelerated industry growth.
Kazakhstan recorded strong momentum in its automotive sector during 2025 as vehicle manufacturing and domestic sales continued to expand across multiple production hubs. According to data released by the Kazakhstan Automobile Union (KAU), total vehicle production including passenger cars, trucks, and buses reached 171,144 units in 2025, representing a 17.8% increase compared to 145,290 units in 2024. New vehicle sales also climbed significantly to 234,852 units, reflecting annual growth of 14.4% as locally assembled models strengthened their position in the domestic market.
The country’s automotive industry has increasingly evolved into a regional manufacturing center supported by partnerships between local companies and international automakers. Production growth was accompanied by a major rise in employment, with automotive-related workforce numbers increasing by 62.2% to 11,153 employees in 2025 from 6,875 in the previous year. The expansion was partly driven by the launch of new manufacturing facilities and additional assembly operations across key industrial locations including Almaty, Kostanay, Kokshetau, Semey, and Karaganda.
Kazakhstan Vehicle Sales Led By Locally Produced Models
All top-selling vehicle models in 2025 were assembled domestically, highlighting the growing localization capabilities of the automotive sector. Chevrolet’s Cobalt ranked as the highest-selling model with approximately 32,000 units sold, followed by Hyundai’s Tucson at around 21,000 units and Kia’s Sportage with nearly 11,000 units. The strong sales performance of locally manufactured vehicles demonstrates increasing consumer confidence in Kazakhstan-based production and the expanding role of regional assembly operations.
Manufacturing activities are primarily supported by Chinese and South Korean automakers operating through joint ventures, contract production arrangements, and local industrial partnerships. Production facilities are strategically distributed across the country to support logistics connectivity and regional market access, particularly near borders with China and Kyrgyzstan.
Chinese Automakers Expand Manufacturing Operations
China-linked manufacturers continued to strengthen their production footprint in Kazakhstan through both new model launches and plant expansions. Allur Automobile, one of the country’s largest assembly companies, has been manufacturing JAC vehicles at its Kostanay facility since 2017. The company also began producing Hongqi vehicles under the FAW Group portfolio in 2023. Additional expansion activities included the start of Jetour vehicle production in 2025 and MG brand manufacturing in March 2026.
In another development, Allur Automobile signed an industrial cooperation agreement with GAC International in February 2026 to support future GAC vehicle production activities. Astana Motors also expanded its operations through its multi-brand manufacturing plant in Almaty, where vehicles from Chery, Changan, and GWM are assembled. The Hyundai Trans Almaty commercial vehicle facility additionally manufactures buses and trucks for several Chinese brands including Foton, Golden Dragon, and BYD electric buses.
Orbis Kazakhstan is also preparing to enter the market with a new production facility currently under construction in Almaty. The company plans to begin manufacturing multiple Geely vehicle brands starting in 2027, further strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a regional automotive assembly base.
Commercial Vehicle Production Continues To Grow
The commercial vehicle segment also experienced continued development during 2025. QazTehna’s manufacturing facility in Karaganda produces buses for Yutong Group alongside heavy-duty trucks for Sinotruk. Meanwhile, SemAZ LLP/Daewoo Bus manufactures city buses for Dongfeng and Zhongtong at its Semey plant.
The expansion of commercial vehicle production reflects broader efforts to diversify Kazakhstan’s automotive ecosystem beyond passenger vehicles. Several facilities are also supporting electric mobility initiatives and specialized vehicle manufacturing, contributing to industrial modernization and supply chain development.
Korean Automakers Increase Local Assembly Activities
South Korea-based automakers also expanded their manufacturing presence in Kazakhstan during 2025. Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan continued producing the Hyundai Sonata sedan and Tucson SUV at its Almaty plant, while production of the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV was added during the year. Hyundai Trans Almaty additionally manufactures Hyundai commercial trucks and related vehicles.
KIA Qazaqstan LLP’s Kostanay facility assembles key SUV models including the Kia Sorento and Kia Sportage. SemAZ LLP/Daewoo Bus has also maintained long-term bus manufacturing operations in Semey, where Daewoo buses have been produced since 2007.
Emerging International Partnerships Support Industry Expansion
Automotive production activities in Kazakhstan also include participation from manufacturers outside China and South Korea. KAMAZ Engineering operates a manufacturing facility in Kokshetau that produces dump trucks, trailers, and specialty vehicles. Production of Hino light-duty trucks has additionally been confirmed at the SemAZ LLP facility.
Allur Automobile also manufactures Chevrolet and Skoda branded vehicles at its Kostanay plant, while QazTehna assembles Scania trucks and commercial vehicles. Beyond current production activities, new discussions involving emerging ASEAN automakers could further expand Kazakhstan’s industrial capacity over the coming years.
Vietnam’s VinGroup held discussions with the Kazakh government in November 2025 regarding potential electric mobility projects. During the same month, Malaysia’s Proton signed a memorandum of understanding with a local government fund to support automotive industry development initiatives. These discussions indicate growing international interest in Kazakhstan’s manufacturing ecosystem and future mobility investments.
Kazakhstan Assembly Plant Production Overview
The following table highlights the major automotive manufacturing facilities operating across Kazakhstan along with their production capacities and 2025 output volumes.
| Major OEMs | Plant | Production Capacity (Units) | 2025 Production Volume (Units) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese And Others | Allur Automobile, Kostanay Plant | 127,600 | 92,100 |
| Chinese | Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan, Almaty Plant | 120,000 | 15,180 |
| Chinese, Korean, And Others | SemAZ LLP/Daewoo Bus, Semey Plant | 11,200 | 4,069 |
| Chinese And Others | QazTehna, Karaganda Plant | 11,200 | 2,665 |
| Chinese | Orbis Manufacturing, Almaty Plant | 80,000 (Planned) | Under Construction |
| Korean | Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan, Almaty Plant | 50,000 | 52,040 |
| Korean | KIA Qazaqstan LLP, Kostanay Plant | 70,000 | 2,885 |
| Chinese And Korean | Hyundai Trans Almaty Commercial Vehicle Plant | 4,000 | 754 |
| Other (Russian) | KAMAZ Engineering Kazakhstan, Kokshetau Plant | 10,000 | 1,426 |
The rapid expansion of manufacturing activities, rising employment levels, and increasing involvement of international automakers indicate that Kazakhstan is strengthening its role as an emerging automotive production hub in Central Asia. Continued investments from Chinese, Korean, ASEAN, and regional manufacturers are expected to further increase production capacity while supporting localization, supply chain development, and electric mobility initiatives across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Kazakhstan automobile production grow in 2025?
Kazakhstan automobile production increased significantly in 2025 as the country expanded vehicle manufacturing across passenger cars, buses, and trucks. Total production reached 171,144 units during the year, representing growth of 17.8% compared to 145,290 units in 2024. The increase was supported by rising domestic demand, expanding operations from Chinese and Korean automakers, and the launch of additional manufacturing facilities. Strong localization efforts and new joint venture projects also contributed to higher industrial output and employment growth within the country’s automotive sector.
Which automakers are expanding production operations in Kazakhstan?
Several international automakers are expanding manufacturing operations in Kazakhstan through local partnerships and assembly projects. Chinese brands including Chery, Changan, GWM, Geely, JAC, BYD, and MG are increasing production activities, while Korean manufacturers such as Hyundai and Kia are also strengthening local assembly capacity. Additional participation from companies including VinGroup, Proton, Scania, and KAMAZ further highlights the country’s growing role as a regional automotive production hub. These investments are expected to support future production growth and supply chain expansion across Kazakhstan.
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