Toyota announced that complete knock-down (CKD) production of the Fortuner SUV has begun at a production facility in Kostanay, Kazakhstan, marking the first time the brand has ever produced cars in Central Asia. The production facility belongs to Saryarka AvtoProm LLP (SAP) and will initially manufacture around 3,000 vehicles a year.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Toyota Fortuner in the Kazakh market. We have chosen to build this model locally as we are confident it meets the requirements of local customers in the best way,” said Toyota’s Senior Managing Officer Didier Leroy.
Toyota established Toyota Motor Kazakhstan LLP (TMKZ) as a sales and marketing company in May 2008 to import and sell Toyota and Lexus vehicles as well as parts and accessories in Kazakhstan. SAP’s Kostanay plant is now the first production site for Toyota vehicles in Central Asia. 20 highly qualified Toyota engineers and production experts provided technical and standards guidance to SAP on a long-term basis in order to prepare the plant’s personnel for CKD production, which in Kostanay includes welding, painting and assembly processes.
Toyota said chose Kazakhstan as a location for knockdown production because of its market potential. In 2008, Toyota sold 5,665 vehicles in the central Asian country, with the figure more than doubling to 13,369 units in 2013.
Based on the Hilux pickup truck, the Toyota Fortuner is a body-on-frame SUV that is well suited to Kazakhstan’s unique climate and challenging driving conditions. Production of the Fortuner began in Egypt in 2012.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
