Hong Kong auto show opened Thursday, June 18, at AsiaWorld-Expo, a convention center next to Hong Kong International Airport, drawing attention despite a smaller footprint and a leaner line up than in past years.
Show overview and VIP appearance
The event felt more compact than previous editions, but it drew a high-profile visitor: Geely chairman Li Shufu attended the opening, attracting several journalists to the floor, a spokesperson for the show said.
Organizers and automaker representatives said the reduced scale reflected tighter exhibitor space this year, although several right-hand-drive models were confirmed for local import plans this year or next, giving Hong Kong buyers an early look.
Hong Kong auto show highlights
Leapmotor B05
Leapmotor used the show to formally announce the B05, a five-door hatchback it positions as a family car. The company listed a starting price of 249,900 yuan, with an early-buyer price of 239,900 yuan for the first 30 customers, Leapmotor said at the booth; that is approximately $35,000 (originally 249,900 CNY) for the standard price.
The B05 measures 4.43 meters long, 1.88 meters wide, and 1.52 meters tall, with a 2.73-meter wheelbase, dimensions that should suit many Hong Kong households (about 14.5 feet long, 6.2 feet wide, 5.0 feet tall, and a 9.0-foot wheelbase). It uses a rear-mounted motor and rear-wheel-drive layout with a 67.1 kWh battery, 218 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque, and a quoted range of 482 kilometers.
BYD M9: seven-seat plug-in hybrid
BYD M9
BYD displayed the M9, its seven-seat model with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo plug-in hybrid system. BYD said the combustion engine delivers 156 horsepower and 225 Nm, while the electric motors combine to produce 272 horsepower and 315 Nm; pure-electric range was quoted between 100 and 180 kilometers, and the company highlighted a fuel consumption low as 5.3 liters per 100 km.
BYD did not disclose a Hong Kong price at the show. A company representative who was not authorized to speak publicly said the price is still under negotiation, and BYD expects an announcement soon. BYD also confirmed it will bring smaller models from its Ocean series to the local market later this year.
GAC E8 set for local arrival next year
GAC E8
GAC showed the new E8, a seven-seat model that the distributor confirmed will be introduced to the local market next year. The E8 echoes styling cues from Aion N60 and is visually younger than the previous generation, the company said.
The E8 measures 5.0 meters long, 1.9 meters wide, and 1.77 meters tall, with a 3.0-meter wheelbase, offering pronounced interior space (about 16.4 feet long, 6.2 feet wide, 5.8 feet tall, and a 9.8-foot wheelbase). Power comes from a 1.5-liter turbo plug-in hybrid system with a quoted pure-electric range of 205 kilometers and fuel consumption as low as 4.98 liters per 100 km.
Hongqi E-HS9
Hongqi exhibited a right-hand-drive example of the E-HS9 and staged a display at its Swire Motors boutique, the distributor said. The E-HS9 on display is a six-seat SUV with imposing dimensions: 5.2 meters long and 2.0 meters wide, with a wheelbase of more than 3.1 meters, making it one of the largest models at the show (about 17.1 feet long, 6.6 feet wide).
Hongqi listed an indicative starting price of 998,000 yuan, the company said; that is approximately $140,000 (originally 998,000 CNY). The E-HS9 on display pairs a 120 kWh battery with front and rear motors for a combined output the automaker quoted at 637 horsepower and 710 Nm of torque. Hongqi also confirmed plans to bring the mid-size EHS5, known in China as the Tiangong 06, fitted with an 85 kWh battery and dual motors producing about 560 horsepower.
Other models on display
For buyers in Hong Kong interested in Chinese-brand models, the show offered a rare chance to see right-hand-drive examples and to ask dealers about local specifications and timing. Organizers said additional test drives and media demos are expected in the coming weeks.
Visitors should check exhibitor announcements for pricing and local warranty details, as makers often list domestic market prices that do not include local taxes, import costs, or Hong Kong specification changes.
