Kazakhstan surpasses China in automotive production cost-effectiveness
According to a study by Oliver Wyman, Kazakhstan is demonstrating a significant advantage in the cost of automotive production. The study reveals that the cost of labor per vehicle in Kazakhstan is an impressive $394.05, positioning the country ahead of traditionally low-cost manufacturers like China ($597) and Turkey ($414). The leaders in this metric remain Morocco ($106), Romania ($273), and Mexico ($305).
Astana Motors Accelerates Industrial Growth
"Astana Motors," a major player in the Kazakh automotive industry, is a driving force behind this success. The company has invested 21.3 billion tenge into modernizing its production facilities. At the Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan and Hyundai Trans Almaty plants, they have implemented robotics, automated welding and painting processes, and expanded both production areas and the range of vehicles produced.
Production Volumes and Future Plans
These upgrades have already yielded impressive results:
In 2024, the company produced approximately 46,000 passenger cars and 800 commercial vehicles.
From January to April 2025, over 18,600 Hyundai vehicles and 149 commercial vehicles were assembled.
Looking ahead, the new multi-brand plant, Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan, is set to open in Almaty in the third quarter of 2025. With a planned annual capacity of up to 120,000 cars (GWM, Chery, Changan), this facility aims to export about 60% of its production, further solidifying Kazakhstan's position in the global automotive market.
