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 can 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 increase 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 turn out to be often called Onvo, which just lately hit the market, starting with its L60 SUV. That EV launched at an ultra-affordable beginning value 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 additionally referred to as “Firefly.”In December of 2023, NIO’s president confirmed the much more inexpensive 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 getting 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 can be priced between RMB 100,000 ($13,800) and RMB 200,000 ($27,500).
To this point, we’ve solely seen camouflaged photographs of what a Firefly BEV would possibly seem like 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 may have extra solutions on December 21, 2024, throughout the automaker’s annual NIO Day occasion.
“Firefly” to launch on December 21 and be offered by NIO
Based on the Chinese language media outlet Xchuxing and several other customers on Weibo, Qin Lihong confirmed that NIO’s Firefly sub-brand can be launched on the annual NIO Day 2024 occasion, which can be held in Guangzhou on December 21.
Lihong additionally shared that Firefly EVs can be displayed and offered in NIO showrooms and share the identical companies and battery swap expertise as its mother or father model. Based on earlier reviews, 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, just like MINI and BMW, however elaborated that the value of Firefly EVs won’t be greater than MINI. The incoming mannequin, which we anticipate to lastly see throughout NIO Day, can be positioned as a small boutique automobile beginning at simply over RMB 100,000.
Li additionally reiterated that the Firefly EV has been designed in line with excessive security and high quality requirements and can obtain the five-star security collision commonplace 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’ll be able to guess we can be tuning in and reporting again.
Characteristic picture credit score: IT House/Weibo
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