BeyonCa, which operates mainly in Beijing, hopes to become the first international luxury EV brand to be "Made in Hong Kong".

BeyonCa, the electric vehicle (EV) brand founded by former Volkswagen China executive vice president Weiming Soh, will set up its global headquarters and factory in Hong Kong, hoping to become the first luxury EV brand in the city.

BeyonCa will set up offices in an innovation park under the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and will set up its international headquarters, final assembly plant here, the EV startup announced in a statement today.

The company will also set up a vehicle development and artificial intelligence center, a marketing center, a customer experience and smart health service center, and a big data center here.

BeyonCa will capitalize on the Chinese mainland's supply chain system, and international talent in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to bring its high-value-added IP R&D, AI development, and final assembly business to Hong Kong, its founder and chairman Soh said.

The company will become the first "Made in Hong Kong" international luxury EV brand through an innovative model, Soh said.

BeyonCa will set up its smart cockpit, artificial intelligence, and final assembly factory operations in Hong Kong, while the stamping, welding, and painting processes will be done at its parts industrial park in the Chinese mainland.

This marks a major shift in strategy for BeyonCa, as the mainland market becomes more competitive and it becomes tougher for emerging carmakers to gain acceptance among consumers.

On October 30, 2022, Soh officially unveiled the BeyonCa brand and the company's first concept car, the Gran Turismo Opus 1.

BeyonCa means "Go Beyond the Car," and it will think beyond the car to build mobility solutions and health ecosystems that bring unique experiences to users, the company said at the time.

BeyonCa's first production model was scheduled to roll off the production line in 2024, according to its previously announced plans.

The company's website does not mention where it is headquartered, but its Weibo page indicates it is a Beijing-based company and has been certified as a "national high-tech enterprise" in the city.

BeyonCa, EV brand founded by former VW exec Weiming Soh, signs deal with Saudi investor