Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng Motors hopes to make Hong Kong a launch pad for its autonomous driving technology beyond mainland China, but the ambition will depend on the city’s willingness to create a more open regulatory environment for new technologies.
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Hong Kong should keep up with the mainland or be more ambitious in terms of regulations for emerging technologies, including autonomous driving and flying vehicles, He Xiaopeng, chairman and CEO of Xpeng and a National People’s Congress (NPC) deputy, said on Saturday amid the ongoing “two sessions”.
“What I’m really looking forward to is whether Xpeng’s autonomous driving can be rolled out in Hong Kong before anywhere else outside the mainland China market,” He said during a briefing.
“I also hope that innovative technologies like low-altitude aviation can be allowed or at least piloted in Hong Kong.”
Earlier this week He said that the company would start tests of its autonomous driving system, known as Xpeng Navigation Guided Pilot (X NGP), in Hong Kong soon. The company said the system, which enables cars to navigate on streets and conduct self-parking, would be promoted worldwide in 2026.
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The company considers Hong Kong a testing ground to introduce self-driving technology beyond mainland China and break into the international EV market.