BUSINESS

Chinese Carmakers Expand Into Growing Central Asian Markets

Published: Feb. 20, 2025 6:05 p.m. GMT+8

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Chinese automakers are pushing deeper into Central Asian markets through exports and manufacturing localization after Russia’s crackdown on a lucrative loophole that allowed re-exports of vehicles through Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states.

Carmakers including Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd. (000625.SZ), Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. Ltd. (JAC) (600418.SH) and Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. have built a presence in the Kazakhstani market, which has developed a major taste for Chinese vehicles.

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Chinese automakers have increased their presence in Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with exports up 25.2% and 27.5% respectively in 2024 due to Russia blocking loophole re-exports.
China-made cars comprised 39% of Kazakhstan's 2024 vehicle sales, driven by competitive pricing and strategic promotions from local dealers.
Manufacturers like Chery, Great Wall Motor, and BYD are establishing local facilities, with BYD's Jizzakh plant in Uzbekistan producing 50,000 cars annually.

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Who’s Who

Chery Automobile Co. Ltd.: Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. is one of the best-performing Chinese car brands in Kazakhstan, with its Tiggo 2 SUV among the country's top models priced below 10 million tenges. Chery is setting up a local manufacturing facility with Astana Motors in Almaty to produce Chery brand vehicles. The deal was signed in 2022, and production is expected to begin this year.

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd.: Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd. has established a presence in Kazakhstan's automotive market and is in the process of setting up a local manufacturing facility in collaboration with Astana Motors. The plant, located in Almaty, will produce Chery, Changan, and Haval brand vehicles. This expansion aims to capitalize on the growing demand for Chinese cars in Central Asia.

Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. Ltd.: Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. Ltd. (JAC) is a leading Chinese car brand in Kazakhstan, known for the J7 sedan, which ranks among the country's top models. In partnership with China National Machinery Import & Export Corp., JAC acquired a 51% stake in Kazakhstan's Allur Group in 2019 to boost local production and regional exports. This partnership began in 2014, focusing on building JAC-branded cars for Kazakhstan and neighboring markets.

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd.: Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. has established a presence in the Kazakhstani market with its Haval M6 SUV ranking among the country's top 10 models below 10 million tenges in 2024. The company, along with Chery and Chongqing Changan, is collaborating with Astana Motors to set up a local manufacturing facility in Almaty to produce Chery, Changan, and Haval vehicles.

Astana Motors: Astana Motors is collaborating with Chery, Great Wall Motor, and Chongqing Changan to establish a local manufacturing facility in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The plant will produce vehicles under the Chery, Changan, and Haval brands. The agreement was signed in 2022, and production is expected to start this year.

Allur Group: Allur Group is a Kazakhstani auto manufacturer and distributor. In 2019, it became partly owned by JAC when they joined with China National Machinery Import & Export Corp. to acquire a 51% stake in Allur Group. This partnership, which started in 2014, focuses on building JAC-branded cars locally for the Kazakhstani market and export to neighboring countries.

BYD Co. Ltd.: BYD Co. Ltd., a Chinese electric vehicle giant, has targeted the Uzbekistan market by setting up a factory in Jizzakh, which began mass production in June 2024. The facility can produce 50,000 cars annually and is BYD's first overseas joint venture for manufacturing new-energy vehicles, established under a late 2022 agreement with local firm UzAuto. Exports to Uzbekistan were 89,584 in the last year, down from 117,410 in 2023.

UzAuto: UzAuto is a significant local partner in Uzbekistan, collaborating with Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD Co. Ltd. to establish a factory in Jizzakh. This facility, which began producing vehicles in June 2024, is BYD's first overseas venture for manufacturing new-energy vehicles. The factory is part of a joint ownership deal initiated in late 2022.

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What Happened When

2019：: JAC and China National Machinery Import & Export Corp. acquired 51% stake in Kazakhstani auto manufacturer Allur Group

2022：: Chinese automakers signed deal with Astana Motors for local manufacturing facility in Kazakhstan

April 2024：: Russia imposed new levies for cars imported from EAEU countries

June 2024：: BYD's factory in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan began mass producing vehicles

2024：: China-made cars reached 39% market share in Kazakhstan; Chinese automakers exported 124,234 vehicles to Kazakhstan and 97,078 to Kyrgyzstan