KATHMANDU — Chinese luxury automaker Hongqi is preparing to make its official debut in Nepal, marking its entry into the country’s rapidly expanding premium electric vehicle market.
Advanced Automobiles Pvt. Ltd. will unveil Hongqi’s electric SUV lineup at the NAIMA Nepal Mobility Expo 2026, a six-day automobile exhibition beginning on August 11. The company confirmed that the vehicles have already arrived in Nepal, although the models selected for launch have not yet been disclosed.
Hongqi, which translates to “Red Flag,” is the luxury vehicle division of China’s state-owned FAW Group. The brand is widely associated with China’s political leadership, including President Xi Jinping, who travels in the specially developed Hongqi N701 state limousine. The model is reserved for senior government officials and is not available for commercial purchase.
For private customers, Hongqi produces a wide selection of luxury vehicles powered by fully electric, hybrid and internal-combustion systems.
Sandeep Sharma, Head of Marketing at Advanced Automobiles, said the imported vehicles are currently undergoing customs clearance and will be officially presented during the mobility expo.
“The model will be unveiled at the NAIMA Expo,” Sharma said, adding that prices, specifications and technical details would be announced during the launch.
He clarified that sales have not yet started because the vehicles have not been formally introduced in Nepal.
“For now, people should know that the Hongqi brand has entered Nepal,” Sharma said.
Hongqi’s fully electric global lineup currently includes the E-HS9 and EHS7 SUVs, along with the E-QM5 and EH7 sedans. However, Advanced Automobiles has not confirmed which of these models will be offered in Nepal.
Advanced Automobiles, a company under Nepal’s Vishal Group, is also the authorised distributor of French automobile manufacturer Renault. Its partnership with Hongqi signals a strategic expansion into the premium EV category, where competition has increased following the arrival of several international brands.
Established by FAW Group on August 1, 1958, Hongqi is recognised as China’s first domestically developed luxury automobile brand. Its vehicles were traditionally reserved for senior Chinese leaders and visiting foreign dignitaries before the company expanded into the commercial consumer market.
The brand underwent a major transformation in 2018, introducing modern luxury cars and electric vehicles for private buyers while accelerating its international expansion.
Hongqi reported global sales of more than 460,000 vehicles in 2025, an increase of 11.7 percent compared with the previous year. Of the total, approximately 149,000 were new-energy vehicles.
The company now competes with global luxury manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz in China while strengthening its presence in overseas markets. Its flagship E-HS9 electric SUV is frequently described as the “Chinese Rolls-Royce” because of its imposing appearance and premium design language.
Photo : www.hongqi-auto.com
