Among the plethora of supercars roaring through Hong Kong’s densely packed city streets, vehicle owners have found a way to stand out from the crowd. Beyond luxurious interiors and “pimped-out” paint jobs, is the city’s sustained trend of customised license plates – otherwise known as Personalised Vehicle Registration Mark (PVRM). Whether drivers are looking to share their favourite fatty acid OMEGA 3 , or feeling a little obvious with a Porsche licensed PORSCHE , it seems that the popularity of these vanity plates is here to stay. The process of attaining ones dream plates is long and requires commitment. Individuals must submit an application, wait for their application to be selected, have their application checked against requirements, make a deposit, have their plates vetted and then finally auction for their prize. In the most recent auction on September 5, the total sales proceeds reached almost HK$2.9 million, and in the past some auctions have even surpassed HK$11 million. Some of the plates sought after in this round were AMASS1NG , SLOTH , THE CEO and OOHLALA – just to name but a few. However, the truth behind these narcissistic license plates is actually a win-win scheme designed by the Hong Kong government to help generate funds for local causes. To channel Hongkongers’ desires to playfully display their wealth, the government created an auctioning system for number plates that raised money for local initiatives to tackle poverty. Since their establishment in September 2006, these auctions have raised millions in support of the city’s needy. With this philanthropic mania still going strong, here are just eight of the city’s amusing and attention-grabbing vanity license plates. A namesake of the twenty-third James Bond film A man with an affinity for Hugh Hefner’s iconic magazine Insurance for speeding? Everyone needs a good laugh Stating the obvious An egg-centric choice Could this be Ash’s car? An indisputably agreeable taxi driver
