At least 14 new smart vehicles – including both right- and left-hand-drive models – are making their debut at the International Automobile and Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong this week, as Chinese carmakers use the city to gauge overseas demand and showcase their latest technologies.

The launches underscored Hong Kong’s growing role as a proving ground for Chinese automotive brands pursuing international expansion.

Industry players ranging from Geely Auto and GAC Group to Baidu described the city as a key testing market as competition shifts beyond price and into intelligent driving, connected vehicles and smart cockpit features.

“The automobile industry faces multiple challenges, including intensifying global competition, changing market dynamics and shifts in the global supply chain,” Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his opening remarks at the five-day event on Thursday.

“From research and development to talent, and from financing to regulatory compliance, Hong Kong will pave the way for enterprises to seize the golden opportunity presented by the new-energy vehicle industry,” Lee told assembled carmakers and suppliers.

In an interview on Thursday, GAC International president Wei Haigang said smart cockpits, connected-car technologies and autonomous driving systems were expected to gain traction in overseas markets this year, becoming defining features of Chinese vehicle exports.