Customs Union: No low-cost cars in Kazakhstan?

Import of some of the low-cost cars has been banned in Kazakhstan, Tengrinews reports citing Kolesa auto website. The limitations have to do with changes in the Customs Union technical regulations concerning Safety of Transportation. Cars permitted for import must have at least one front airbag, ABS breaking system, ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats, daytime running lights and an immobilizer. Popular among Kazakhstanis low end cars Daewoo Nexia and Daewoo Matiz that are assembled in Uzbekistan do not have any of the required safety systems. Starting from January 5, 2014, the Uz Daewoo officially stopped importing Nexia and Matiz cars to Kazakhstan. “Only cars left at warehouses will be sold. It is difficult to predict whether these cars will be sold in future. But we are doubtful that the manufacturer will equip the cars in accordance with the regulations. We would rather be offering other cars and so Gentra might replace Nexia,” auto dealer said. In 2013, Nexia and Matiz were bestsellers at the Kazakhstan car market. There were over 10 000 Nexias and more than 13 000 Matiz cars sold. The regulations will not be applied to Lada 4x4 and UAZ cars until 2015, because these vehicles are made on the Customs Union territory. At this point it is not clear how the new regulation will be applied to may new cars that have front airbags, ABS breaking system, ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats and an immobiliser, but do not have daytime running lights.