Toyota’s partner opens first EV-only showroom in Hong Kong

GAC has opened its first showroom dedicated to its all-electric Aion brand in Hong Kong, the latest domestic automaker looking to expand sales to emerging electric vehicle markets amid slowing growth in mainland China. Toyota’s manufacturing partner will initiate sales of its Aion Y Plus affordable crossover in the city in May with a goal of selling 5,000 units this year, Gu Huinan, general manager of GAC Aion, told reporters on Jan. 28. The company also unveiled plans to build five more retail and service locations in the Asian financial hub this year and set up more than 300 fast-charging piles near office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, and transport terminals all over the city by 2028. BYD earlier this month opened its first service center spanning 20,000 square feet in Yau Tong, Kowloon, in collaboration with Harmony Auto Holding Ltd, a Chinese auto dealership, while having operated several stores in Sha Tin, Sai Kung, among other areas. Tesla is the top seller, recording sales of 673 vehicles in the city in November, according to the latest figures published by the Hong Kong Transport Department. [TechNode reporting; Caixin, in Chinese]