Post-Exhibition Report: Should You Consider the Central Asian Market After the US Tax Hike?
Duration:
Apr 15 - 17, 2025
Location:
Kazakhstan
From April 15 to 17, Made-in-China.com participated in the Kazakhstan International Automotive Parts and Aftermarket Services Exhibition, showcasing a wide range of automotive parts and solutions to local buyers. The event attracted automotive industry professionals from around the world, covering various sectors including auto components, repair equipment, and new energy vehicle technologies. It has become one of the most influential automotive events in Central Asia.
As a leading B2B cross-border e-commerce platform in China, Made-in-China.com not only helped Chinese suppliers connect with buyers in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, but also conducted in-depth research on local market demands. This exhibition provided valuable insights and opportunities for Chinese enterprises to expand into the Central Asian market.
Rapid Growth in the Automotive Market and Strong Demand for Auto Parts
Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, has seen rapid growth in its automotive industry in recent years. Due to limited domestic vehicle manufacturing capabilities, the country heavily relies on imports, especially in the second-hand vehicle market, which has significantly driven the demand for automotive parts. The Kazakhstan government is also promoting local vehicle production by partnering with international automakers to establish assembly plants. Brands like Hyundai, Kia, and JAC have set up factories in Kazakhstan. This trend has led to simultaneous growth in both Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Aftermarket (AM) demands, creating enormous opportunities for Chinese auto parts suppliers.
Moreover, with the global rise of new energy vehicles, Kazakhstan is also beginning to develop its electric vehicle (EV) sector. The government plans to increase the market share of new energy vehicles to 10% by 2030, alongside the development of EV charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, Chinese EV brands like Li Auto and Zeekr have already entered the Central Asian market, meaning that demand for EV batteries, motors, electronic control systems, and related parts will become a key growth area.
Policy Support and High Import Dependency
Kazakhstan's domestic auto parts manufacturing capacity is relatively weak, with over 80% of auto parts relying on imports, primarily from China, Russia, and South Korea. Thanks to China's high cost-performance ratio and a wide variety of products, Kazakhstan buyers' recognition of Chinese auto parts has been consistently increasing. In recent years, the Kazakhstan government has introduced a series of favorable tariff policies, such as reducing import taxes on some automotive parts, and has actively promoted trade facilitation through the "Belt and Road" initiative, making Sino-Kazakh automotive trade smoother.
Many Kazakhstan buyers have expressed that Chinese auto parts offer clear advantages in terms of price, quality, and delivery times. Especially in high-demand, fast-wearing parts like brake pads, filters, lights, and bearings, Chinese products have been well received. A parts distributor from Almaty mentioned, "The quality of Chinese products has improved significantly in recent years, while their prices are 30%-50% lower than European brands, making them ideal for our market."
Chinese Suppliers Are Optimistic About the Central Asian Market
With the continued progress of the "Belt and Road" initiative, more and more Chinese companies are focusing on the potential of the markets along this route. Many Chinese suppliers, while adjusting their export strategies to the US, are accelerating their expansion into Belt and Road countries. They are deepening local cooperation through regional exhibitions and seeking overseas agents.
The Chinese suppliers at the exhibition generally believe that Kazakhstan and the Central Asian market are still in a "blue ocean" phase, with relatively low competition and attractive profit margins. A brake pad manufacturer from Zhejiang shared, "We used to focus primarily on the European and American markets, but orders from these regions have slowed down in recent years, whereas demand in Central Asia is growing rapidly. This exhibition has helped us find a new growth point." Moreover, many companies noted that the "Belt and Road" initiative has reduced logistical and trade barriers, and the launch of the China-Europe Railway Express has made transportation more convenient, further boosting their confidence in expanding into the Central Asian market.
Looking Ahead
This participation in the Kazakhstan Auto Parts Exhibition marks an important step for Made-in-China.com in expanding into the Central Asian market. Moving forward, the platform will continue to participate in exhibitions in more emerging market countries and provide one-stop services such as online promotion, precise matching, and logistics financial support to help more Chinese suppliers capture early opportunities in the auto parts market.
In light of the ongoing changes in the global trade landscape, particularly the uncertainty brought about by the US tax hike, the potential of the Central Asian market is becoming increasingly evident. For Chinese companies looking to break through these challenges, expanding into Central Asia is undoubtedly a strategic choice worth considering.
As a leading B2B cross-border e-commerce platform in China, Made-in-China.com not only helped Chinese suppliers connect with buyers in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, but also conducted in-depth research on local market demands. This exhibition provided valuable insights and opportunities for Chinese enterprises to expand into the Central Asian market.
Rapid Growth in the Automotive Market and Strong Demand for Auto Parts
Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, has seen rapid growth in its automotive industry in recent years. Due to limited domestic vehicle manufacturing capabilities, the country heavily relies on imports, especially in the second-hand vehicle market, which has significantly driven the demand for automotive parts. The Kazakhstan government is also promoting local vehicle production by partnering with international automakers to establish assembly plants. Brands like Hyundai, Kia, and JAC have set up factories in Kazakhstan. This trend has led to simultaneous growth in both Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Aftermarket (AM) demands, creating enormous opportunities for Chinese auto parts suppliers.
Moreover, with the global rise of new energy vehicles, Kazakhstan is also beginning to develop its electric vehicle (EV) sector. The government plans to increase the market share of new energy vehicles to 10% by 2030, alongside the development of EV charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, Chinese EV brands like Li Auto and Zeekr have already entered the Central Asian market, meaning that demand for EV batteries, motors, electronic control systems, and related parts will become a key growth area.
Policy Support and High Import Dependency
Kazakhstan's domestic auto parts manufacturing capacity is relatively weak, with over 80% of auto parts relying on imports, primarily from China, Russia, and South Korea. Thanks to China's high cost-performance ratio and a wide variety of products, Kazakhstan buyers' recognition of Chinese auto parts has been consistently increasing. In recent years, the Kazakhstan government has introduced a series of favorable tariff policies, such as reducing import taxes on some automotive parts, and has actively promoted trade facilitation through the "Belt and Road" initiative, making Sino-Kazakh automotive trade smoother.
Many Kazakhstan buyers have expressed that Chinese auto parts offer clear advantages in terms of price, quality, and delivery times. Especially in high-demand, fast-wearing parts like brake pads, filters, lights, and bearings, Chinese products have been well received. A parts distributor from Almaty mentioned, "The quality of Chinese products has improved significantly in recent years, while their prices are 30%-50% lower than European brands, making them ideal for our market."
Chinese Suppliers Are Optimistic About the Central Asian Market
With the continued progress of the "Belt and Road" initiative, more and more Chinese companies are focusing on the potential of the markets along this route. Many Chinese suppliers, while adjusting their export strategies to the US, are accelerating their expansion into Belt and Road countries. They are deepening local cooperation through regional exhibitions and seeking overseas agents.
The Chinese suppliers at the exhibition generally believe that Kazakhstan and the Central Asian market are still in a "blue ocean" phase, with relatively low competition and attractive profit margins. A brake pad manufacturer from Zhejiang shared, "We used to focus primarily on the European and American markets, but orders from these regions have slowed down in recent years, whereas demand in Central Asia is growing rapidly. This exhibition has helped us find a new growth point." Moreover, many companies noted that the "Belt and Road" initiative has reduced logistical and trade barriers, and the launch of the China-Europe Railway Express has made transportation more convenient, further boosting their confidence in expanding into the Central Asian market.
Looking Ahead
This participation in the Kazakhstan Auto Parts Exhibition marks an important step for Made-in-China.com in expanding into the Central Asian market. Moving forward, the platform will continue to participate in exhibitions in more emerging market countries and provide one-stop services such as online promotion, precise matching, and logistics financial support to help more Chinese suppliers capture early opportunities in the auto parts market.
In light of the ongoing changes in the global trade landscape, particularly the uncertainty brought about by the US tax hike, the potential of the Central Asian market is becoming increasingly evident. For Chinese companies looking to break through these challenges, expanding into Central Asia is undoubtedly a strategic choice worth considering.