Production of the Haval Jolion, a popular SUV from Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor, is set to be launched in Almaty, according to Auto Mail, citing a source at Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan familiar with the matter. The first stage of the project is expected to start with a semi-knocked-down (SKD) assembly, followed by a completely knocked-down (CKD) assembly.
A person familiar with the matter told the media outlet that a portion of the automobile parts and components will likely be supplied from the Tula factory of Great Wall Motors in Russia. Since Great Wall Motors stopped manufacturing the Haval Jolion in China in 2021, the Tula factory is the only manufacturer of body elements for the SUV. Interestingly, the model was first introduced that same year.
The construction of Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan — a plant controlled by Astana Motors — is expected to be completed by the end of next year. According to Nurlan Smagulov, the company’s CEO, 60% of the vehicles manufactured by the new factory will be exported to Central Asian states and Russia.
With an annual capacity of 90,000 cars, Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan also plans to produce vehicles from other Chinese brands, such as Chery, Changan and Tank.
In May, the Kolesa.kz website reported that the new Astana Motors plant would manufacture the Tank 300, an all-terrain vehicle; the Chery Tiggo 2, an SUV; and the four-wheel drive Changan CS55. However, the media outlet did not rule out the possibility that the Changan Alsvin might be produced instead of the CS55.
During the first eight months of 2024, Kazakhstan produced nearly 81,000 vehicles, including 72,200 passenger vehicles, with a total value of $2 billion. In early September, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar stated that vehicle production in Kazakhstan increased by 30% in 2023. He also noted that two additional automobile factories with a combined annual capacity of 160,000 cars are expected to be launched in 2025.
