Kostanay becomes Li Auto's first production site outside China
Chinese new-energy vehicle maker Li Auto signed an MOU with the Allur Group on July 16, 2026, at the China-Kazakhstan Business Roundtable held in Shanghai, attended by Kazakhstan's President Tokayev. Allur will assemble and manufacture Li Auto's L-series locally at its plant in Kostanay, Kazakhstan. This makes Kazakhstan the first country outside China to manufacture Li Auto vehicles.
New Li L9 unveiled in Almaty, first market launch outside China
Four days after the MOU signing, on July 20, 2026, Li Auto held a launch event for the new Li L9 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. This marked the company's first market launch outside mainland China and an effective first step in its global expansion strategy. The company stated its goal is "not just product exports, but local production and a complete ecosystem."
The new Li L9 features a third-generation range-extension system, delivering a WLTC pure-electric range of 350km and a combined range of 1,370km with the extender. Its chassis includes 800V active suspension, steer-by-wire (SBW), and rear-wheel steering (RWS) as standard. The cockpit is built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 platform with a 29-inch panoramic display. For the Kazakhstan and CIS market, Li Auto has integrated digital services with Yandex (maps, music, video) and Amap (China's largest navigation provider), emphasizing deep localization for the region's service ecosystem.
Li Auto's Kazakhstan expansion, at a glance
01
Local production site
L-series assembly at Allur's Kostanay plant — Li Auto's first production base outside China.
02
Market launch
New Li L9 unveiled in Almaty on July 20, 2026 — Li Auto's first market entry outside China.
03
Product specs
WLTC pure-electric range 350km, combined 1,370km. 800V suspension, SBW, RWS as standard.
04
Localization strategy
Yandex and Amap integration tailored to the CIS region's digital service ecosystem.
Chinese EV makers' overseas expansion is shifting its center of gravity from exports to local production. The choice of Central Asia — geographically and geopolitically distinctive — suggests a deliberate move to avoid tariff and logistics costs while tapping demand in an emerging market.
