Central Asia as a Crossroads: Why the Global Auto Industry Is Turning East
Astana, June 10, 2026 | The largest-ever edition of Automechanika Astana is now underway at the EXPO International Exhibition Centre. More than 400 companies from 23 countries, national pavilions from China, Uzbekistan and Iran — three days set to define the direction of the automotive business across Central Asia.
Over ten years, Automechanika Astana has evolved from a regional trade show into the premier negotiation platform for the automotive industry in Central Asia. This year the exhibition broke its own record, welcoming more than 400 exhibitors from Kazakhstan, Germany, China, Russia, the UAE, South Korea, India and beyond.
"International industry exhibitions are a practical tool for achieving this goal: direct dialogue between government, business and international partners, technology transfer, and concrete contracts."
— Aset Nussupov, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan
"The exhibition is a living indicator of the industry's health. We see growing interest from foreign partners in Kazakhstan and are ready to support the development of the automotive sector."
— Serik Zharasbayev, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Central Asia as a Hub
Everything the automotive sector needs is under one roof: spare parts, lubricants, auto chemicals, workshop equipment, tyres, and diagnostic solutions. Entrepreneurs no longer need to travel abroad — it is all here in Astana.
A memorandum was also signed between Messe Frankfurt and the Akimat of Astana to reinforce the capital's role as an international exhibition platform.
"We are delighted to mark the 10th anniversary of Automechanika Astana and see enormous potential for continued growth in the region."
"Over ten years we have built not just an exhibition — we have built an environment where deals and partnerships are born."
— Anuar Malik, Director, Business Media Central Asia
Energy and Transport: One Unified System
The technological transformation of the auto industry poses new challenges for the country's energy sector. The rise of electric vehicles demands charging infrastructure, while conventional transport requires advanced fuel solutions. Both directions were discussed at the exhibition floor with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Energy.
"The automotive industry presents our energy sector with new strategic challenges every day. The growth of the electric vehicle segment sets the course for accelerated expansion of urban charging infrastructure. Today, transport and energy operate as a single, well-coordinated mechanism."
— Yerlan Akbarov, Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Business programme: Automechanika Academy sessions, B2B negotiations, and a Live Stage featuring top automotive bloggers (Beibyt Alibekov, Talgat Itayev, Arman Yusupov and others). General partner — Shell Lubricants.
The exhibition runs 10–12 June at EXPO IEC, Astana.