Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has launched a sale of its Hong Kong shares to raise up to $5.2 billion via an accelerated book-building, according to a deal term sheet seen by Reuters on Monday.The company has set a price range of HK$333-HK$345 per share for the offering, representing an up to 8.4% discount compared to the stocks market closing price of HK$363.60 on Monday.The offering is expected to be priced on Monday, the term sheet said.BYD did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.The company plans to use the proceeds to invest in research and development, expand overseas businesses, supplement working capital, and for general purposes.The deal adds to a sharp pickup this year in share offering momentum in Hong Kong, the preferred destination for Chinese companies looking to raise offshore capital, as investors bet on a possible recovery in Chinas economic growth.Shares of Chinas largest bubble tea and drinks chain, Mixue Group, jumped more than 47% in their debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday, with new listings in the city recording their strongest start to a year since 2021.The stellar start reinforces hopes for a strong year in new equity issuances by Chinese companies in Hong Kong, as Beijing steps up support for its private enterprises to revive a slowing economy amid heightened geopolitical tensions.The fundraising comes amid a hectic pace of hiring and expanding to other markets for BYD.BYD plans to hire 20,000 employees in Zhengzhou in the first quarter as it boosts production capacity, government-run Henan Daily reported last month.The company also aims to complete its $1 billion plant in Indonesia at the end of 2025, the head of its local unit said in January.BYD, which overshot its global sales target to more than 4 million units sold last year, opened its first EV plant in Southeast Asia in Thailand in 2024, worth $490 million and which has a production capacity of 150,000 units per year.Scott Murdoch, Reuters