ASTANA (Interfax-Kazakhstan) – Kazakhstan may sell 300,000 new cars a year, said Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Isekeshev.

“In three years Kazakhstan has launched production of more than 50 car models of 12 brands with the main assembly lines based in Ust-Kamenogorsk and Kostanai. Other regions accommodate production sites for buses, trucks and other vehicles,” he said at a press conference after signing a memorandum of understanding between Toyota Motor Corporation and the Government of Kazakhstan.

“Overall, last year Kazakhstan sold about 100,000 new cars, 20% of which were assembled in Kazakhstan. The future potential of the car market is estimated at 300,000 per year,” said Isekeshev.

“The Kazakh government is making an effort to attract large automobile manufacturers with the most advanced technology and management to help create new production lines in Kazakhstan and train local personnel,” he said.

As reported, Toyota Motor Corporation intends to arrange the assembly of Toyota Fortuner off-road cars at SaryarkaAvtoProm LLP in Kostanai (the administrative centre of Kostanai region). The project envisages assembling 3,000 cars annually.

SaryarkaAvtoProm LLP is implementing projects at JSC Agromashholding facilities in Kostanai. The company was set up in 2011. Its founders are AllurAuto group of motor vehicles dealers and manufacturers and Tobol Civic and Entrepreneurial Corporation.