TOYOTA STARTS PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL ASIA
WITH KAZAKHSTAN-BUILT "FORTUNER"

 

 

Kostanay, June 11: Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that complete knock-down (CKD) production of the "Fortuner" SUV began at a production facility of Saryarka AvtoProm LLP (SAP). This marks the start of production by Toyota in Central Asia. Roughly 3,000 units will be produced annually, and SAP has hired an additional 100 employees.

    A line-off ceremony was attended by key representatives of Kazakhstan's national government, including First Vice-Minister of Industry and New Technologies Albert Rau. The ceremony was also attended by Japanese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Masayoshi Kamohara, President of Allur Auto (the majority shareholder of SAP) Andrey Lavrentyev, and Toyota Tsusho Chairman Junzo Shimizu. Representing TMC were Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada and Senior Managing Officer Didier Leroy (concurrently president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA, which coordinates Toyota's operations in Europe).

    More details here