At a Government meeting on July 21, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev reported on the current state and prospects for the development of Kazakhstan’s automotive industry.
“If in 2010-2019 the foundations of the automotive industry were laid in the country and the production volume increased from 3 thousand to 50 thousand units, then from 2020 the transition to a full cycle with body welding and painting processes began. Last year, more than 171.4 thousand cars were produced in the country,” said Nagaspayev.
Positive dynamics continue this year as well. In the first 6 months, 94.4 thousand cars were produced, 35% more than in the same period last year. The planned target for the current year is an 11% increase in production volume, bringing the figure to 190 thousand units.
The key task is deepening localization and forming a production ecosystem of automotive components. In Kazakhstan, the production of tires, engine parts, batteries, seats, multimedia systems, and metal elements has already begun. In addition, projects for the production of bumpers, wiring harnesses, wheel disks, and paint and varnish materials are being implemented.
In terms of production capacities, two large highly automated plants — KIA Qazaqstan and Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan — were put into operation last year. The total investment in their construction exceeded 346 billion tenge; 135 industrial robots are employed at the enterprises. To further increase the potential of the industry by 2028, a number of new projects for expanding the production of passenger and commercial vehicles are planned.
The minister noted that as part of the agreements reached during the state visit of the Head of State to China, the organization of production of Li Auto, OMODA, and JAECOO car brands, the production of unmanned semi-trailer tractors SITRAK, as well as joint development with BYD of a network of high-speed charging stations are envisaged.
Capacities in the truck segment are actively developing: in addition to the existing Scania and HOWO productions, from the fourth quarter of this year, the assembly of 500 VOLVO semi-trailer tractors per year is planned on the basis of Hyundai Trans Auto. The company Barys Truck Manufactory, together with XCMG, is implementing a project for the production of electric truck tractors.
