The Czech carmaker plans to start local assembly of four models – Octavia, Kamiq, Karoq, and Kodiaq – from SKD kits in the first quarter of 2024. It also signed an MoU with Allur to explore the possibility of producing vehicles from CKD kits after 2025, which would involve more advanced manufacturing and local sourcing. This would create more jobs in both Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic. The final decision on CKD production will be made by the end of 2024. Martin Jahn, Skoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, visited Astana and signed the key agreements with Allur representatives. He also met with Roman Sklyar, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and discussed the automotive industry and technical training in both countries. Skoda Auto and Allur agreed to work together to improve the technical education in Kazakhstan, drawing on Skoda’s experience with its own university, vocational school, and collaborations with other educational institutions in the Czech Republic. Skoda Auto also plans to cooperate with the leading universities in Kazakhstan. Skoda Auto will also establish a network of authorised dealerships in the new corporate design in the major Kazakh cities. The first showrooms will open in Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, and Shymkent in the next few months. The official market entry and sales launch will take place in the second half of February, and the number of showrooms will expand in 2024.
Klaus Zellmer, Skoda Auto CEO, said: “Internationalisation is key for Skoda Auto, and we are happy to return to the Kazakh market, which is part of our plan to launch our brand in Vietnam as well. I am impressed by the fast progress of our cooperation with Allur, our new partner for manufacturing and sales in Kazakhstan. We have signed important agreements that will enable us to start assembling Skoda vehicles in Kazakhstan next year and set the framework for our future cooperation.” Martin Jahn, Skoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, said that Kazakhstan is a very attractive market for Skoda with a lot of growth potential, which fits well with our internationalisation strategy. He added: “I was honoured to meet Roman Sklyar, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, during my visit and to talk about the current situation of the automotive industry in both countries. We also shared our mutual interest in supporting technical training in Kazakhstan with Allur, and I presented our strategy for the next period. Our plan is to gradually start producing four models in the first quarter, open dealerships in Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, and Shymkent as soon as possible, and officially enter the market and start sales in the second half of February. Our long-term goal is to achieve a 5% market share by 2028.”