A photograph circulating online has sparked controversy in Hong Kong, with netizens questioning the presence of a luxury car in a public housing car park.
The image, which appeared on the LIHKG forum, depicts a high-end Mercedes-Maybach parked in a public housing complex. The post, titled “I thought they are kicking out wealthy public housing tenants”, quickly gained traction. The vehicle’s estimated value of HK$3 million has led to immediate speculation about whether the owner is in violation of public housing asset limits. Hong Kong has been actively working to ensure that public housing resources are allocated to those who genuinely need them, especially as the city strives to broaden access to affordable housing due to high property prices.
Authorities in Hong Kong have been closely monitoring the assets of public housing tenants, as the income ceiling for a four-person family is HK$30,950, and they should have net assets no greater than HK$590,000. The average rent for social housing is currently around HK$2,297.
Online information indicates that Maybach cars can carry a hefty price tag. In 2022, the Mercedes-Maybach S580 4Matic sedan’s starting price was approximately HK$2.98 million, while the S680 4Matic model started at HK$4.098 million – both setting records for the S-Class.
One commenter on the forum questioned the owner’s eligibility with the comment, “For someone who buys a HK$3 million car, it’s unlikely they are an ordinary person with just a few million in assets.”
However, some users have suggested alternative explanations. One theory is that the car might be a company vehicle, with the driver bringing their work car home. Others entertained that the vehicle may be a modified Mercedes-Benz V250d. Online information indicates that a used Mercedes-Benz V250d Avantgarde Long can sell for somewhere between HK$230,000 and HK$330,000. Nevertheless, a majority of those online believed that the situation called for an investigation by the Housing Department.
