President of Kazakhstan Automobile Union Anar Makasheva has said that automobile industry is gearing up for a powerful surge in 2026, with production expected to jump by 22 per cent.

After assembling 171,400 vehicles last year - an 18 per cent increase compared to 2024 - the country’s auto sector is accelerating even further, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Two major production sites launched in 2025 are now set to play a decisive role: a new Almaty-based factory manufacturing cars for Chery, Changan, and Haval, as well as a new plant by Kia in Kostanay.

With these facilities ramping up to higher capacity, total output is projected to reach 209,000 vehicles in 2026 - a record-breaking milestone for the country.

The expansion is not only about numbers. Around 5,000 new jobs could be created through fresh investments in vehicle and component manufacturing. Currently, more than 11,000 people are employed in Kazakhstan’s production of passenger cars, trucks, and buses.

Officials say the growth may also benefit consumers. Industry and Construction Minister Yerssaiyn Nagasspayev previously noted that expanding domestic production is expected to help reduce car prices, making vehicles more affordable for Kazakh buyers.

The sector’s momentum reflects broader state backing. In 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally visited the Kia construction site in the Kostanay region, signaling high-level support for the industry’s development.