Kyrgyzstan Unveils Its First Homegrown Car Muras

A major domestic automotive initiative - the Muras project, which will produce Kyrgyzstan’s first national car has been unveiled at the seventh Kyrgyz-Russian Economic Forum in Bishkek.

The project is spearheaded by Anton Sobin, Chairman of Central Asia Capital, with Russian automaker AvtoVAZ acting as the technological partner, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

The name Muras, meaning “heritage” in Kyrgyz, reflects the vision of creating a car that is both a national symbol and a cornerstone for the country’s budding automotive industry.

The initiative is planned as a 10-year program, gradually shifting from assembling imported components to full-cycle vehicle production. Annual output is expected to start at 1,500 cars, rising to 7,000 units after 2035.

The plant will assemble popular AvtoVAZ models including Granta, Vesta, Largus, Niva, Iskra, along with commercial vehicles and specialized transport for healthcare and social services. A portion of vehicles will be allocated to taxi.express and leased via leasing.express, both affiliated with Central Asia Capital, ensuring stable domestic demand.

The projected base price of Muras is around $10,400, potentially reduced to $9,100 in the first three years with Russian subsidies.

Economic Impact

Contribution to GDP: up to 1 per cent by 2035

Job creation: up to 12,000 positions

Annual tax revenues: over 500 million Kyrgyz soms ($5.718 million)

Reduced reliance on imported used cars

The project enjoys backing from the Kyrgyz and Russian governments, including tax incentives, land allocation, and a preferential leasing program. Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Amangeldiev personally oversees the project, while Russian Deputy Minister of Industry Roman Chekushov has endorsed the initiative.

By 2031, the factory aims to export up to 3,000 vehicles annually to Central Asia and the Balkans. Total investment in the project will exceed $30 million, sourced from Central Asia Capital, private investors, and bond issuances facilitated by broker Banca.

The Muras car is envisioned to become as familiar to Kyrgyz people as the Zhiguli was to Russians. Vehicles will traverse the nation from Bishkek to Osh and Naryn to Issyk-Kul, marking a new chapter in national industry and mobility.