Chinese language EV automaker NIO has been teasing its third marque, codenamed “Firefly,” for fairly a while now. Lately, executives at NIO have confirmed when it is going to 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 referred to as Onvo, which not too long ago 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 referred to as “Firefly.”In December of 2023, NIO’s president confirmed the much more inexpensive EV sub-brand would be a 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 shall be priced between RMB 100,000 ($13,800) and RMB 200,000 ($27,500).
So far, we’ve solely seen camouflaged photos of what a Firefly BEV would possibly appear to be as we await the anticipated launch and, presumedly, the official title of the sub-brand. We’ll nonetheless have to attend a few months, however we now know we could 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 shall be launched on the annual NIO Day 2024 occasion, which shall be held in Guangzhou on December 21.
Lihong additionally shared that Firefly EVs shall be displayed and offered in NIO showrooms and share the identical providers and battery swap know-how as its guardian 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, 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 anticipate to lastly see throughout NIO Day, shall be positioned as a small boutique automobile beginning at simply over RMB 100,000.
Li additionally reiterated that the Firefly EV has been designed based on excessive security and high quality requirements and can obtain the five-star security collision customary for Europe when it hits the markets abroad, which is anticipated within the second half of subsequent yr.
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 shall be tuning in and reporting again.
Function picture credit score: IT Dwelling/Weibo
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