Li Auto's planned assembly operation in Kazakhstan now has a firmer date. Kazakh automotive group Allur says the first production run in Kostanay is scheduled for November this year. It would be the first time Li Auto vehicles are built outside China.
Allur vice-president Maxim Myagchilov outlined the project on 25 September at the Kazakhstan–China investment forum in Almaty. Production will take place at the Kostanay plant of SaryarkaAvtoProm, part of the Allur group. His remarks were reported by Kazakhstan Today and by the regional newspaper Qostanai Tany, and the core figures match: three models at launch, design capacity of up to 10,000 vehicles a year and about 200 jobs.
Three range-extended hybrids first
According to Myagchilov, the L6, L7 and L9 have been chosen for production. These Li Auto models use a range-extender layout: an electric motor drives the wheels, while the petrol engine only generates electricity to extend range. Allur says it started with hybrids because that segment is growing in Kazakhstan, while demand for fully electric cars is rising more slowly.
The November start is Allur's estimate, and details are still being worked out. At the forum Myagchilov said the first production would launch in November and that arrangements were being discussed in detail. The company acknowledges that 10,000 units is design capacity and may be hard to reach in the first year.
Big-kit assembly, domestic market first
The project begins with semi-knocked-down (SKD) assembly: major components will arrive as large pre-assembled units, with final assembly in Kostanay. The first cars will be sold in Kazakhstan. Allur says it is discussing a move to smaller-kit assembly and deeper localisation with its Chinese partner, but has not given a date.
Exports are still being studied. Allur is talking to distributors and potential partners in Eurasian Economic Union countries and looking at Central Asian markets, without naming countries or dates. Prices for locally assembled cars have not been disclosed either; the company only says localisation could bring costs down.
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From agreement to production
The two companies signed their strategic cooperation agreement in July. Tengrinews, citing Allur's press office at the time, reported that the deal covers series production of Li Auto vehicles at the Kostanay plant and development of a local component base, with Li Auto helping to train Kazakh engineers. Li Auto announced the partnership itself on 24 July. According to Caixin, the company described it as its first overseas localised production project, saying it would shorten delivery times, lower costs for buyers and provide capacity for wider overseas expansion; it did not disclose capacity then.
Kazinform's Chinese-language service reported in July that, before choosing a partner, Li Auto specialists audited the Allur plant's production lines, equipment, processes and quality system.
The model list has changed once. When the deal was signed in July, Kazinform and Qostanai Tany named the L6, L8 and L9; at the September forum Allur listed the L6, L7 and L9. The final line-up should be checked against the official announcement at launch.
What it means for Chinese companies
For carmakers, the appeal of this route is speed: use an existing local plant, enter the market through SKD assembly, then decide on deeper localisation based on sales. At the same forum Astana Motors described local production of Chery brands, part of a broader shift by Chinese marques in Kazakhstan from imports to local assembly.
For component and equipment suppliers, the key question is when the move to smaller-kit assembly happens. Only deeper assembly creates local demand for welding, painting and some parts. Neither Allur nor Li Auto has published a timeline for that step or an investment figure, so interested companies should watch for further official statements from both.
Sources:
Kazakhstan Today (25 September 2026), https://www.kt.kz/rus/ekonomika/proizvodstvo_avtomobiley_kitayskih_brendov_rasshiryayut_v_1378000606.html
Qostanai Tany (26 September 2026), https://kostanaytany.kz/qostanajda-li-koelikteri-shygharylady-200-ge-zhwyq-zhanga-zhumys-orny-ashylady/
Qostanai Tany (17 July 2026), https://kostanaytany.kz/qazaqstan-avtooenerkaesibindegi-serpilis-li-auto-qytajdan-tys-alghashqy-zawytyn-qostanajda-ashady/
Tengrinews (1 July 2026), https://tengrinews.kz/autonews/li-auto-nachnut-proizvodit-v-kostanae-602923/
Kazinform Chinese service (17 July 2026), https://cn.inform.kz/news/lixianggewaishengdi-85e2acdf/
Caixin (25 July 2026), https://www.caixin.com/2026-07-25/102468129.html
Key facts
- Li Auto's local assembly project in Kazakhstan is planned to begin initial production in November.
- Initial production will take place at the Kostanay plant of Saryarka Automotive Industry Company, which is part of the Allur Group.
- Li Auto's initial models will be the L6, L7 and L9, all extended-range plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Li Auto will carry out complete-vehicle production in Kazakhstan.
- Li Auto's Kazakhstan project has a designed annual capacity of up to 10,000 vehicles and is expected to create approximately 200 jobs.
- Li Auto and Allur are discussing small-part assembly; the assembly schedule, selling prices and specific export arrangements have not yet been announced.
FAQ
When is Li Auto's Kazakhstan assembly project expected to launch?
Allur stated that the project is scheduled to begin initial production in Kostanay in November, with specific arrangements still being refined.
Which models will be produced first under the project?
The initial models will be the L6, L7 and L9, all extended-range plug-in hybrid vehicles. The models announced when the agreement was signed in July were the L6, L8 and L9; the information announced when construction commences will prevail.
What are the project's designed annual capacity and expected staffing scale?
The project has a designed annual capacity of up to 10,000 vehicles and is expected to create approximately 200 jobs. Allur said it may be difficult to reach the designed capacity in the first year of operation.
How will the project further advance localization?
The project will initially proceed with knockdown assembly of major components. The two parties are discussing a transition to small-part assembly to further raise the level of localization, but no timetable has been announced.
Have the selling prices and export plans for locally assembled vehicles been finalized?
The selling prices of locally assembled vehicles and the specific export markets and timing have not been announced. Allur said prices may decline after localization.