Chinese language EV automaker NIO has been teasing its third marque, codenamed “Firefly,” for fairly a while now. Just lately, executives at NIO have confirmed when it should formally launch the brand new ultra-affordable sub-brand and pull the sheet of its flagship mannequin – NIO Day 2024.
Proper across the time Chinese language EV automaker NIO shared intentions to broaden into new markets in Europe, it additionally divulged plans for 2 new all-electric sub-brands within the works. The primary was codenamed “Alps” and was scheduled to launch in mid-2024 in China and Europe.
Alps would formally change into often called Onvo, which just lately hit the market, starting with its L60 SUV. That EV launched at an ultra-affordable beginning worth of $21,000 as a viable competitor to the Tesla Mannequin Y.
Across the identical time because the “Alps” information, there have been rumors of a 3rd sub-brand, codenamed “Himalaya” but in addition known as “Firefly.”In December of 2023, NIO’s president confirmed the much more reasonably priced EV sub-brand would be part of Onvo in China in 2024, adopted by entry into markets of Europe in 2025.
Even with tariffs being imposed on Chinese language-built EVs coming into the EU, NIO conveyed confidence in its new Firefly marque because the automaker’s co-founder and president Qin Lihong shared the brand new fashions might be priced between RMB 100,000 ($13,800) and RMB 200,000 ($27,500).
Thus far, we’ve solely seen camouflaged photographs of what a Firefly BEV may appear to be as we await the anticipated launch and, presumedly, the official identify of the sub-brand. We’ll nonetheless have to attend a few months, however we now know we can have extra solutions on December 21, 2024, through the automaker’s annual NIO Day occasion.
“Firefly” to launch on December 21 and be offered by NIO
In line with the Chinese language media outlet Xchuxing and a number of other customers on Weibo, Qin Lihong confirmed that NIO’s Firefly sub-brand might be launched on the annual NIO Day 2024 occasion, which might be held in Guangzhou on December 21.
Lihong additionally shared that Firefly EVs might be displayed and offered in NIO showrooms and share the identical companies and battery swap expertise as its guardian model. In line with earlier studies, the flagship Firefly mannequin is anticipated to be sized equally to a BYD Dolphin.
NIO co-founder and chairman William Li has beforehand in contrast Firefly’s relationship to NIO, much like MINI and BMW, however elaborated that the worth of Firefly EVs is not going to be greater than MINI. The incoming mannequin, which we count on to lastly see throughout NIO Day, might be positioned as a small boutique automotive beginning at simply over RMB 100,000.
Li additionally reiterated that the Firefly EV has been designed in accordance with excessive security and high quality requirements and can obtain the five-star security collision normal for Europe when it hits the markets abroad, which is anticipated within the second half of subsequent 12 months.
China ought to see deliveries of Firefly EVs a lot sooner following the launch on NIO Day. The annual occasion is at all times filled with thrilling information from the automaker, so you possibly can guess we might be tuning in and reporting again.
Characteristic picture credit score: IT Dwelling/Weibo
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