Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology (HKG:9863) has opened its first retail store in Hong Kong, marking 1,500 outlets globally, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday.

The new store, located in the Cityplaza complex at Taikoo Shing, is part of the Chinese carmaker's international expansion. A second Hong Kong store is scheduled to open in December, the report said.

Founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming said Hong Kong would serve as a showcase for Leapmotor to reach global consumers and act as a window for international investors to better understand the company, SCMP wrote.

The Chinese EV maker's right-hand drive versions of C10 SUV and T03 compact will be on display following their unveiling on Thursday, with pricing to be announced at launch, the report said.

Leapmotor has already expanded into Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, and plans to launch its B10 compact SUV in those markets later this year, SCMP reported, citing Leapmotor Vice President Cao Li at the Hong Kong store's opening.

The stock slid 2% in recent trade on Thursday.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)