(Yicai) June 13 -- Eleven leading Chinese carmakers, including SAIC Motor and BYD, are showcasing their latest models at Hong Kong’s inaugural International Automotive and Supply Chain Expo, leveraging the global financial hub as a key launchpad for international expansion.

FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor, Changan Auto, BAIC, GAC Group, Geely Auto, Chery Auto, Xpeng and Leapmotor also have a presence at the expo, which runs from June 12 to 15. Spanning more than 55,000 square meters, the auto show features seven themed zones covering vehicles, supply chains, the low-altitude economy and frontier tech.

Chinese auto manufacturers are showing off some of their most popular models at the expo. BYD, the world’s top seller of new energy vehicles, has brought an impressive line-up including the SEALION 7, ATTO 3 and DENZA D9, while Shanghai-based SAIC is exhibiting smart electric vehicles from its sub-brands MG, MAXUS and IM Motors.

Cutting-edge tech is also taking center stage, with futuristic gear such as low-altitude aircraft, robots and robotic dogs from FAW, Geely, Xpeng, Chery and GAC attracting a lot of attention.

Hangzhou-based Leapmotor opened its first Hong Kong showroom on June 11 ahead of the expo. Although Hong Kong’s automotive market is relatively small, it can serve as a valuable window for global investors to better understand Chinese brands, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Zhu Jiangming said at the opening ceremony.

In recent years, the Hong Kong government has rolled out a series of policies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, such as by providing tax exemptions for drivers who trade in their fossil-fuel powered autos for electric ones. This has led to a sustained increase in the market share of new energy vehicles, and Chinese automakers have played a major role in this shift.

In the first four months, 68 percent of all newly licensed private cars in Hong Kong were electric vehicles at 8,916 units, according to the special administrative region’s transport department. BYD was Hong Kong’s most popular electric car brand in the first five months, outselling Tesla with 3,969 units compared with Tesla’s 3,067 autos, according to EV database Hkevdb.

Editor: Kim Taylor