Kazakhstan Auto Industry Creates 5,000 Jobs in 2026

Kazakhstan is proving that investing in local manufacturing pays off, with its automotive industry delivering thousands of jobs and a record-breaking production surge.

The Central Asian nation expects to produce 209,000 vehicles in 2026, a 22% leap from the 171,400 units assembled in 2025. That growth comes as new production facilities hit their stride and reach full capacity, according to Anar Makasheva, President of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union.

The real story goes beyond the numbers. New vehicle and auto-component factories have created nearly 5,000 jobs across the country, adding to the 11,169 people already employed by domestic manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks, and buses.

Makasheva calls 2025 an "industrial breakthrough" year for Kazakhstan's automotive sector. Thanks to government support, both local and international investors opened two modern automobile plants that transformed the market.

The investment is paying off in showrooms too. By December 2025, eight out of every ten new vehicles sold in Kazakhstan were assembled domestically. All top 10 best-selling models now roll off local assembly lines.

Sales numbers tell the same success story. Dealers sold 234,852 new vehicles in 2025, up 14.4% from the previous year. For the second year running, Kazakhstan's auto market topped 200,000 units sold.

The country offers buyers more than 75 automotive brands to choose from. Hyundai led sales with 50,868 vehicles, followed by Chevrolet with 38,880 units. Chinese brands like Chery, Jetour, Haval, and Changan have carved out significant market share, collectively accounting for 39% of total sales.

Kazakhstan is also embracing the electric future. The country registered 21,765 fully electric vehicles as of September 2025, a growing segment in a total fleet of 5.9 million vehicles.

The Ripple Effect

Kazakhstan's automotive boom shows how strategic industrial policy can transform an economy. The 5,000 new manufacturing jobs support families and communities across the country. Local assembly means better access to affordable vehicles for Kazakhstani buyers, with customer-friendly financing options making car ownership more attainable.

The industry's growth is also modernizing the country's aging vehicle fleet. While 41.5% of Kazakhstan's cars are more than 20 years old, the surge in affordable new vehicle production is giving citizens a path to safer, cleaner transportation. Nearly a quarter of the fleet now consists of vehicles under seven years old, reflecting growing consumer confidence.

The success story extends beyond borders too. International automakers like Hyundai, Chevrolet, and multiple Chinese brands are betting on Kazakhstan as a manufacturing hub, bringing investment and technology transfer to the region.

When countries invest in building things, everyone wins: workers get jobs, consumers get choices, and economies grow stronger together.