The 10 Best Cars to Buy in Hong Kong (Luxury, Electric & Safety)

Best Cars to Buy in Hong Kong – In 2012, the prevailing choice among car enthusiasts in Hong Kong was the Mercedes E-Class. Categorized as executive automobiles, Mercedes E-Class vehicles are celebrated for their plush comfort, unwavering safety standards, and exceptional performance. They’ve firmly entrenched themselves as the frontrunners in the realm of large and mid-size luxury cars.

Hong Kong buyers enthusiastically acquired 2,327 Mercedes E-Class models during the past year, commanding a formidable 5.4 percent share of the market.

Securing the second spot, boasting a 4.5 percent stake in the new car sales market, was the Toyota Hiace. In 2012, residents of Hong Kong took ownership of 1,950 of these formidable machines. As a capacious van, the Hiace predominantly caters to transportation agencies, as well as private enterprises and individuals in search of roomy, light-duty vehicles.

The BMW 5 Series clinched the third spot in the 2012 popularity race. With 1,895 units sold and a 4.4 percent market share, the 5 Series almost matched the Hiace in sales figures. This series enjoys substantial global acclaim, contributing a substantial chunk to BMW’s annual profits, accounting for approximately 50 percent.

Attributes like its dynamic aesthetics, capacious interior, cutting-edge technology, and fuel-efficient engine have collectively propelled the BMW 5 Series into an increasingly favored choice among new car owners.

What’s Best Cars to Buy in Hong Kong Now?

In the initial half of 2023, the BMW 5 Series has surged ahead as the top choice among new car buyers in Hong Kong. By March, a total of 472 units of this model found new owners, securing a remarkable 6.9 percent market share.

Furthermore, notable gains have been observed in the automotive sector, with Honda, Hyundai, and Nissan all making significant strides. In February alone, the Honda Freed witnessed robust sales, with 133 units finding buyers, propelling it to the seventh spot on the list of best-selling cars in 2013, compared to its 14th position the previous year.

The Hyundai H1 has also ascended in popularity, currently ranking as the third most sought-after new car in Hong Kong. With 261 vehicles sold in the early months of 2013, it has shown a remarkable rise from its 8th position in 2012, reflecting a substantial increase in market share this year.

In February, the Nissan Serena captured 3.2 percent of the new car market, contributing to its 2.4 percent share of the 2013 market thus far. Despite Nissan’s comparatively lower popularity among Hong Kong buyers, the Serena is gaining favor due to its generous size, adaptable seating configurations, and stylish interior.

Here’s the best cars brand to buy in Hong Kong:

1. Tesla

The top spot goes to Tesla, a somewhat expected outcome given that Tesla already enjoyed significant popularity among local residents well before it established a manufacturing facility in China. Over the past few years, with the continuous improvement of infrastructure and the relatively compact nature of Hong Kong, the necessity for long-distance travel has diminished.

As a result, an increasing number of individuals have opted for Tesla vehicles, capturing an impressive 25% market share. This statistic translates to one Tesla on the road for every four automobiles.

2. Toyota

Toyota has earned widespread acclaim across various regions and nations it ventures into. The prevailing enthusiasm of Guangdong’s consumers towards Toyota can be predominantly attributed to its strong ties with Hong Kong. Presently, Toyota maintains its position as the second-highest market share holder in Hong Kong.

3. Mercedes-Benz

As an ambassador for prestigious automotive marques, Mercedes-Benz consistently stands as the top preference among local buyers in the automobile market. Its graceful aesthetics and opulent interior craftsmanship are sure to captivate even the most discerning of hearts, leaving no room for resistance to the allure of Mercedes-Benz.

4. Honda

Claiming the fourth position is Honda, an automotive favorite in Hong Kong for similar reasons as Toyota. Honda lures buyers with its outstanding reliability and budget-friendly maintenance expenses. Furthermore, the Fit and Civic models shine as top choices among consumers in the local market.

5. BMW

Securing the fifth position stands the esteemed BMW brand. This current iteration of BMW offerings has made remarkable strides in enhancing both comfort and opulence, factors that have significantly contributed to its meteoric rise in sales.

This trend is especially pronounced in the Chinese market, where BMW outpaced Mercedes-Benz in domestic sales last year, claiming the throne in the luxury automobile sales rankings.

6. Suzuki

While Suzuki Motor may have bid farewell to the local market some time ago, it continues to thrive in the vibrant streets of Hong Kong. Impressively, the sales tally for the months spanning from January to July reached a commendable 689 units.

Suzuki’s cars shine in the Hong Kong landscape due to their compact size, perfectly tailored to navigate the city’s challenging parking situation. Moreover, their affordability and unwavering reliability ensure a solid presence in the Hong Kong market.

7. Nissan

Nissan holds a slight lead over Suzuki, maintaining a narrow edge in their competition. Within the local market, the Sylphy stands as the dominant sales model, commanding a significant portion of the brand’s market share. Furthermore, Nissan’s compact vehicles have also gained considerable popularity.

8. Subaru

Subaru has secured a spot among the leading contenders in Hong Kong’s automotive market’s top tier. It’s noteworthy that while Subaru’s presence in China is rather modest, its performance shines brilliantly in other global locales. This phenomenon can be attributed to a combination of factors.

Firstly, Subaru’s pricing in Hong Kong is notably more affordable compared to the Chinese market. Secondly, the discerning local clientele in Hong Kong places a premium on precise driving control, and Subaru’s horizontally opposed engine and full-time four-wheel drive system effectively cater to these preferences, making it a favored choice in this dynamic region.

9. Porsche

Porsche stands alone in the realm of ultra-luxury brands, facing no direct rivals. Its sales figures are truly remarkable, be it in China or Hong Kong. Additionally, Hong Kong’s affluent populace and a substantial number of Porsche enthusiasts contribute to the brand’s exceptional sales performance in the region.

10. Lexus

Lexus, Toyota’s premium marque, secured a spot in the top 10 with a monthly sales figure of 375 vehicles. This achievement can be attributed to the strong brand recognition that Lexus enjoys among local consumers.

The Question of Electric Cars to Buy in Hong Kong

For a significant portion of Hong Kong’s population, the issue of perilous roadside pollution is a matter of deep apprehension. In localities like Central, Causeway Bay, Kwun Tong, and Mong Kok, the Air Quality Index consistently registers in the “Very High” or “Severe” range.

This alarming pollution predominantly stems from stationary vehicles, traffic bottlenecks, and overall vehicular emissions, prompting an increasing number of Hong Kong’s motorists to contemplate the feasibility of adopting electric vehicles (EVs).

As of the outset of 2011, an article in HK Magazine reported that Hong Kong harbored a mere 96 electric vehicles, of which 22 were government-owned. Fast forward to 2012, and a blogger from Smart Planet uncovered 310 electric automobiles gracing the streets of Hong Kong.

While these figures might appear dwarfed when compared to the colossal fleet of over half a million conventional vehicles traversing the city, they do signify a burgeoning interest in EVs.

Prospective car buyers are increasingly inclined toward opting for hybrid vehicles. Take, for instance, the Toyota Prius, which recorded 300 units sold in 2010 and has already seen 51 vehicles purchased in the initial months of 2013.

For those intrepid drivers who are environmentally conscious, the Tesla Roadster beckons. This electric sports car is currently available in Hong Kong at a price tag of HK$1.07 million. Powered solely by electricity, the Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds.

Best Luxury Cars to Buy in Hong Kong

In addition to the soaring popularity of prestigious automotive brands like Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW, a substantial number of automotive enthusiasts are opting to import high-end, pre-owned vehicles from foreign markets.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the increasing demand for exclusive, renowned automobiles has prompted financially well-off individuals residing in Hong Kong to explore international markets for their automotive needs. Remarkably, around ten thousand of these upscale vehicles found their way into the city in 2011.

Among the luxury favorites are exceptional models from Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley. Buyers often turn to overseas car dealerships either to acquire unique, bespoke models or to capitalize on economic challenges in Europe, which have compelled some connoisseurs of luxury cars to part with select deluxe vehicles.

Best Safety First Cars to Buy in Hong Kong

Just like elsewhere in the world, Hong Kong motorists frequently base their choice of car make and model on the available safety features.

For instance, the Mercedes E-Class, which topped the charts as the best-selling vehicle in Hong Kong last year, boasted cutting-edge safety technology like blind spot assistance and radar sensors that remain vigilant for potential collisions, automatically engaging the brakes if necessary.

Similarly, the Lexus RX, which secured the fourth spot in Hong Kong’s list of popular cars last year, earned the esteemed title of a “Top Safety Pick” from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The RX also garnered impressive safety ratings in comprehensive crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ensuring safety while navigating the roads also involves making a wise investment in an appropriate auto insurance policy. Such coverage may encompass vehicle repairs, roadside assistance, and liability protection. With the foresight to secure insurance, individuals can mitigate potential medical or financial repercussions arising from both major accidents and minor mishaps.

Summarize

Collectively, the compilation of car manufacturers featured comprises entirely of international automotive firms, aligning with the expected landscape. It’s worth noting that only a handful of local automobile companies have ventured into the Hong Kong sales arena, a circumstance reasonably explained by their limited presence.

Nevertheless, apart from the absence of homegrown labels, names like Suzuki and Subaru, relatively less favored in the Chinese market, continue to assert their presence in a significant share of the Hong Kong automotive market.

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