** Hong Kong shares of electric vehicle maker Xpeng climb 2.8% to HK$50.80 ** Xpeng unveiled its extended-range hybrid technology "Kunpeng Super Electric System" on Wednesday, as the firm bets on a pivot to such products that are more cost-competitive than pure EVs to improve profitability

** Xpeng did not say when it would launch new models equipped with this technology

** Nomura maintains "neutral" on the stock, saying Xpeng's short-term key focus remains on its auto shipment deliveries

** "We see Xpeng at the forefront in AI related auto/smart driving/robotics technology advancement, which may help the company to deliver sustainable healthy growth into the long run" - Nomura

** Hong Kong shares of rival BYD fall 2.7% and NIO

eases 1.6%, while Great Wall Motor rises 2.5%, Li Auto gains 1% and Leapmotor adds 0.6%

** Hang Seng Tech Index climbs 0.7% and Hang Seng Index increases 0.9%

** Xpeng's Hong Kong stock down 11.7% YTD

(Reporting by Donny Kwok) ((donny.kwok@thomsonreuters.com))