GAC Aion Tops Hong Kong Private Car Sales in April 2026: Chinese NEVs Lead the Charge

1,646 Units Sold – EV Market Share No.1

GAC Group achieved a historic breakthrough in the Hong Kong market in April 2026. According to the Hong Kong Transport Department‘s first registration data for private cars in April 2026, GAC ranked first with a total of 1,646 units sold. Among these, pure electric models – mainly the AION V and AION UT – accounted for 1,596 units, while plug‑in hybrid models (represented by the GAC E9 PHEV) contributed 50 units. Pure electric vehicles made up 96.96% of GAC’s total sales, demonstrating that the brand‘s strong performance in Hong Kong is driven primarily by its BEV lineup.

In March 2026, GAC had already achieved a breakthrough of nearly 2,000 wholesale units in a single month. April took it one step further, capturing the top spot in Hong Kong’s private car market by sales volume. From January to April 2026, GAC‘s cumulative market share in Hong Kong reached 12%, ranking third among all automotive brands in the territory. From a “follower” to a “leader,” GAC has accomplished a strategic milestone in one of the world‘s most mature and demanding right-hand drive markets.

Three Engines Behind the Victory: Brand, Supply Chain & Dealership Network

Behind the sales crown lies GAC’s systematic cultivation of the Hong Kong market. Since launching its “Hong Kong ACTION” plan in 2025, GAC has treated Hong Kong as a core base for right-hand drive (RHD) markets and an overseas demonstration hub, systematically building an integrated capability covering product, channel, service and localisation.

Branding: GAC boosted visibility and consumer interest by presenting the AION UT and AION V to Hong Kong celebrities Sally Yeh and Yuchen Zhang respectively, leveraging star power to drive purchase consideration.

Supply chain: Facing a surge in orders during the first‑quarter policy window, GAC quickly established a dedicated fast‑lane logistics channel from the mainland to Hong Kong, working with Greater Bay Area supply chain partners to achieve just‑in‑time production, shipping and delivery.

Dealership and service: GAC has built a full‑coverage network including one brand centre, seven showrooms and two service centres. It has also set up pop‑up displays in core commercial districts such as Hung Hom, Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O, extending operating hours to maximise customer reach.

Full Product Matrix: Six Star Models Cover Diverse Needs

GAC has introduced six star models to Hong Kong, covering both pure electric and plug‑in hybrid powertrains: AION UT, AION V, AION ES, AION Y Plus, HYPTEC HT and Trumpchi E9. The best‑selling AION Y Plus features a 61.7 kWh LFP battery with GAC‘s integrated “magazine battery” technology, which effectively isolates thermal runaway in the event of a collision, significantly reducing fire risk. All models come standard with full‑scene voice control functionality, aligning perfectly with Hong Kong consumers’ preference for smart features.

Crucially, all GAC models sold in Hong Kong are properly engineered for right‑hand drive – the steering wheel is on the right, matching local road rules. This fundamental requirement is a basic entry ticket for any brand seeking success in Hong Kong.

Competitive Landscape: A Reshuffled EV Rankings

Among the top ten electric private car registrations in Hong Kong for April 2026, almost all are Chinese brands, alongside Tesla and Toyota. The full ranking is as follows:

GAC Aion‘s 1,596 units comfortably surpassed Tesla’s 1,389, a lead of 207 units. BYD ranked third with 871 units, followed by Zeekr with 689. Only a month earlier, in March 2026, BYD had led the entire Hong Kong market with 1,763 units, driven largely by the Yuan UP (1,497 units). GAC‘s swift overtaking illustrates the rapidly changing competitive dynamics in Hong Kong.

Toyota entered the top five with 551 units of the bZ3X. The RHD version of the bZ3X launched in October 2025, and in April 2026 it officially entered Hong Kong’s taxi fleet – marking the beginning of the end for the Toyota Crown Comfort taxis that had served the city for nearly 30 years.

From a broader perspective, Hong Kong‘s electrification transition is accelerating. In the first four months of 2026, GAC’s cumulative market share reached 12%, placing it third overall. In Q1 2026, BYD, Tesla and Zeekr were the top three brands with 3,084, 3,043 and 1,797 registrations respectively – together accounting for over 44% of the market. Chinese brands now dominate the top five, rapidly rewriting the long‑standing Japanese dominance of the territory.

Market Context & Challenges

The slight drop in April registrations compared to March is a normal fluctuation. In March, the local “One‑for-One” replacement scheme ran its course, creating a rush of demand that was partially pulled forward. The closure of that policy window may lead to short‑term adjustments.

Hong Kong is known as a “touchstone” for right‑hand drive markets due to its exacting standards on quality, safety, after‑sales service and reputation. GAC‘s ability to thrive under such scrutiny signals that its products and service capabilities have earned world‑class recognition.

GAC’s Global Acceleration: Exports Up 133.9%

The success in Hong Kong is not an isolated case. Between January and April 2026, GAC‘s cumulative overseas exports reached 70,474 units, a year‑on‑year surge of 133.9%, leading the industry in growth.

GAC has set a target of 250,000 overseas sales for 2026, and aims to reach 1 million annual sales by 2030. Its victory in Hong Kong – the benchmark right‑hand drive market – provides powerful proof of its capability as it expands into Southeast Asia and other RHD regions.

HYPTEC and Aion recorded terminal sales of 32,727 units in April 2026, up 15.6% year‑on‑year. In Hong Kong, the two brands deployed a precise “BEV + PHEV” dual‑power strategy, combined with celebrity marketing and efficient delivery, to capture the top spot with nearly 1,600 pure electric sales. The old order of Japanese dominance is being rewritten, and the Chinese smart‑manufacturing leadership has only just begun.