Limits of growth? Chinese cars hit a wall in Kazakhstan
The share of Chinese car brands in total vehicle sales in Kazakhstan is not expected to increase in 2026 and will likely remain at 39%, according to Anar Makasheva, head of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union.
Chinese brands accounted for 39% of all cars sold in Kazakhstan in 2025, up slightly from 38% in 2024. The growth over the past several years has been significant: 25.6% in 2023, 10.1% in 2022, 3.7% in 2021 and 2% in 2020.
Sales figures show rapid growth
In 2025, a total of 136,714 non-Chinese passenger vehicles and 85,618 Chinese-brand vehicles were sold nationwide.
Makasheva noted that production of many Chinese brands has already been localized in Kazakhstan, helping to support sales growth.
Read also: Tesla’s biggest rival stumbles: BYD ranks below average in China’s 2025 EV study.
Consumers are increasingly choosing Chinese brands because of their lower prices compared with South Korean, Japanese and European competitors.
Top 10 brands by sales in 2025
According to the union, the following brands ranked among the top 10 in Kazakhstan by sales volume in 2025:
- Hyundai — 50,868
- Chevrolet — 38,880
- Kia — 23,402
- Chery — 14,570
- Jetour — 14,507
- Haval — 11,688
- Toyota — 11,338
- Changan — 11,260
- JAC Motors — 10,330
- Geely — 9,621
Toyota and Geely are classified as imported vehicles, while the remaining brands are assembled in Kazakhstan.
