Kazakhstan’s Asia Avto Adds Models, Increases Assembly

VIENNA – Asia Avto, the Chevrolet, Kia, Lada and Skoda assembler based in Ustj-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, adds new models to its portfolio of cars built from semi-knocked-down kits.

Four new models, three Kias and one Skoda, have been added. The new Kia models made from Korean-sourced assembly kits include the new-generation Cerato sedan. The new cee'd 5-door hatchback uses kits imported from Slovakia.

Asia Avto’s range now also includes the Kia Quoris large sedan. “Quoris is Kia Motors’ debut in the fullsize-luxury-car segment and Asia Avto’s entry in the most exclusive market niche,” Erik Sagymbaev, first vice president-Asia Avto, says in a statement.

Asia Avto’s President Yerzhan Mandiyev says Kazakh sales of Kia cars in the year’s first quarter jumped 160% from like-2012, while the assembly figures increased 110%.

Another new car in the company’s portfolio is the Skoda Rapid, assembled from parts manufactured in Czech Republic. “We plan to double the assembly volume of the (Skoda) brand at Asia Avto this year,” Mandiyev says in a statement.

Asia Avto is an unusual assembler, with more than 20 different models in small volumes.

Last year, the company built 16,513 vehicles, up 124.5% from 2011. The total figure for 2012 includes 5,058 Ladas, 4,899 Kias, 4,002 Chevrolets and 2,554 Skodas.

Asia Avto says it plans to increase assembly volumes by 150% this year. The company is benefiting from Kazakhstan’s growing car market.

Asia Avto celebrated 10 years of car assembly in December, but it turned out only its 50,000^th car in January. That means 2012 accounted for about one-third of all assembled cars in the past 10 years.

Asia Avto is increasing its SKD assembly, while at the same time continuing preparations for a new plant for car assembly from complete-knocked-down kits in cooperation with Russian auto maker AvtoVAZ and state-owned Kazakh’s SPK Ertis company.

Plans calls for the construction of a CKD factory with body shop, paint shop and assembly in Ustj-Kamenogorsk. Initial annual capacity will be 60,000 units. The plant is expected to assemble the Lada Granta and Kalina.

The partners also are looking into additional SKD assembly of other Lada, Renault and Nissan models.

During a second stage, the plant's annual capacity will be doubled to 120,000 cars. Total investment is $400 million.

The cars built in Kazakhstan also will be exported to some parts of Russia, including Siberia and the Far East, as well as the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The new facility may start operations in 2015.