Astana Motors has started the construction of a full-cycle multi-brand plant to produce cars of Chinese auto giants Chery, Haval and Changan in the Almaty Industrial Zone.

During his official visit to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially launched the construction of the plant.

The launch ceremony was attended by Almaty Akim Yerbolat Dossayev, Astana Motors Board Chairman Nurlan Smagulov, Astana Motors CEO Beknur Nessipbayev and other officials.

«It is a project that our country needs so much. I wish it to be implemented successfully. During the visit of China’s President Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan this year, we discussed this project as well. Today we see the result — the project has commenced,” the Head of State noted in his welcoming speech.

The multi-brand plant’s capacity is 90 thousand cars a year. All the cars will be made by CKD assembly only, including body welding and painting.

Astana Motors plans to supply 40% of the cars to the domestic market, while 60% will be imported to CIS countries.

Astana Motors has a special focus on the development of human resources and grows skilled car making labor force.

«The multi-brand plant will provide 2,200 jobs. The core staff are engineering specialists who will learn from leading auto groups and develop technologies in Kazakhstan. We are investing 100 billion tenge in production engineering according to the standards of China’s car making leaders. Our global goal is to build a technological park in the Almaty Industrial Zone, to set up a cluster for small and medium businesses that will manufacture components and supply them to our production lines,” Astana Motors Board Chairman Nurlan Smagulov said.

In turn, Astana Motors CEO Beknur Nessipbayev noted that «the new enterprise will produce nine Chery, Haval and Changan models in the beginning of the life cycle — when a generation changes or full restyling takes place, that is, it will set up production of models as they enter the global market.” The models referred to include Chery Tiggo 2 PRO, Chery Tiggo 4 PRO, Chery Tiggo 7 PRO; Haval Jolion, Haval Н6, Haval M6 Plus; Changan CS35, Changan CS55 and Changan CS75.

The scheduled date of multi-brand plant completion is Q4 2024. Pilot production is scheduled for Q1 2025.

The enterprise is 100% owned by Astana Motors and will make cars under license agreements.

Let us remind that Astana Motors deepens localization step-by-step and starts construction of a car component plant this year. The technological park in the Almaty Industrial Zone will drive the development of small and medium businesses in Kazakhstan and the formation of a pool of skilled car making labor force.