Hao is a character in the Grand Theft Auto series, appearing as a stranger/freak in Grand Theft Auto V and a main character in Grand Theft Auto Online.
History
Background
Hao is a resident of Los Santos, who is involved with races throughout the city. He is familiar with both Lamar Davis and Franklin Clinton, and appears to be associated with The Families.
Events of Grand Theft Auto Online in 2013
In Grand Theft Auto Online, he is seen working as the mechanic inside the Los Santos Customs shop near Los Santos International Airport.
Events of Grand Theft Auto V
In Grand Theft Auto V, Hao is met as a random encounter in Strawberry and challenges Franklin to a street race against him and his friends. Following the race, the player can join four more street races around the city. He also has a brief appearance during the mission Father/Son, when Franklin takes Amanda De Santa's car to Los Santos Customs. Here, Hao fixes Amanda's car.
Events of Grand Theft Auto Online
Los Santos Tuners
| This article (or section) refers to content in the Enhanced version for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC release of Grand Theft Auto Online that may be absent from other versions. For a complete list of the features of the Enhanced version for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC version of Grand Theft Auto Online, please see here. |  |
- Hao: "And then I told him... "I'm sure they got a really beautiful silver medal with your name on it"."
- Mimi: "Weren't that the race you won, like, third in?"
- Hao: "Girl? If I'd known you was watching, I'd a smoked all 'em fools."
- —Hao and Mimi in the LS Car Meet introduction cutscene.
Hao appears in the LS Car Meet opening cutscene of the GTA Online: Los Santos Tuners update. He is having a conversation with Mimi, boasting about his "silver medal" conversation with Franklin, where Mimi claims Hao actually finished third, when the player approaches and interrupts. Hao provides the initial in-depth introduction to the Car Meet. He also sends the player a message when they unlock the Pursuit Race Series races at Car Meet Reputation level 5.
He can often be found attending the meets looking at the cars, when his updated orange Penumbra will be found parked in one of the spots.
Expanded and Enhanced
| This article (or section) refers to content in the Expanded & Enhanced version for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X release of Grand Theft Auto Online that may be absent from other versions. For a complete list of the features of the Expanded & Enhanced version for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X version of Grand Theft Auto Online, please see here. | |
In 2022, Hao establishes his own modifications shop within the LS Car Meet building, Hao's Special Works. He contacts the GTA Online Protagonist and asks them to help him promote his new mod shop. He first tells them to go to the garage in Downtown Vinewood, collect the Turismo Classic which he upgraded, and beat his time of 08:10 in a time trial race from Vinewood Hills to Cypress Flats. In return, Hao will offer a free HSW Upgrade on his mod shop.
Appearance
He wears a black sando shirt with a crucifix pendant and has tattoos on his left arm. As of 2021, he wears a white sando shirt with the same pendant, and has tattoos on both arms.
Mission Appearances
Grand Theft Auto V
- Father/Son
- Shift Work (Boss)
- 4 subsequent Street Races (Boss - by text message only)
- Gauntlet (Only if the Subtle approach in Planning the Big Score is chosen)
Grand Theft Auto Online
Los Santos Tuners
- LS Car Meet introduction cutscene.
Expanded and Enhanced
- Hao's Special Works Introduction Time Trial (Voice/Boss)
- HSW Time Trials (Boss/Unseen)
Gallery
Trivia
- If Franklin purchases the Los Santos Customs garage on Route 68, south of Sandy Shores in Harmony, Hao will send Franklin an email shortly afterwards. In the email, Hao talks about Franklin buying the shop, and asks Franklin not to make Hao call him "boss", despite working in a different garage.
- Hao expresses a dislike for Lamar Davis, as in his email he refers to Lamar as a "shit-talker".
- Hao's dialogue in Father/Son will vary depending on Franklin's performance in the street races. If Franklin won the last race he participated in, Hao will vow to win the next one. If Franklin lost, Hao will taunt Franklin about his loss. If Franklin hasn't taken part in one yet, Hao will encourage Franklin to do so.
- Hao seems to be based on Big Lou from Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005).
- Hao's personal vehicle is also the counterpart of Big Lou's Mitsubishi Eclipse GT.
- Hao's appearance in GTA Online: Los Santos Tuners is another similarity. Both of them wear a white sando shirt with a crucifix pendant.
See Also
- Los Santos Customs Mechanic - Mechanic who appears in most Los Santos Customs branches in Grand Theft Auto Online.
- Garage Mechanic - The player's personal mechanic that repairs and delivers their personal vehicles in GTA Online.
- J. Jones - Random NPC mechanic appearing in Grand Theft Auto V who also serves as the character model for the Garage Mechanic.
- G. James - Random NPC mechanic appearing in GTA V.
- J. Donner - Random NPC mechanic appearing in GTA V.
- Benny - Owner of Benny's Original Motor Works and vehicle customization mechanic in GTA Online.
- Zach - Motorcycle mechanic who appears inside the Clubhouse Bike Shop in GTA Online.
- Office Mechanic - Mechanic who appears in offices if a Custom Auto Shop is added in GTA Online.
- Warehouse Mechanic - Mechanic who appears inside the Vehicle Warehouse in GTA Online.
- Charlie Reed - Aircraft mechanic who appears inside the Hangar Workshop in GTA Online.
- Chester McCoy - The weaponized vehicle mechanic and weapon modification technician in Bunkers, Facilities, Arena Workshop, Mobile Operations Centers and Avengers in GTA Online.
- Sacha Yetarian - The Arena vehicle mechanic in the Arena Workshop in GTA Online.
- Benny's OMW Mechanic - The lowrider vehicle mechanic in the Arena Workshop in GTA Online.
