Nio is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated third sub-brand, Firefly, with an official debut scheduled for December 21, 2024, at the company’s annual Nio Day event in Guangzhou. This announcement comes just as the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker’s second sub-brand, Onvo, began delivering its first models in September. Firefly, internally codenamed, aims to cater to the more budget-conscious segment of the electric vehicle market.
Nio’s co-founder and president, Qin Lihong, revealed these details at the company’s recent partner conference, according to a report from Xchuxing, a local automotive media outlet. Several auto bloggers on Weibo also echoed this information, fueling excitement for the event. Nio Day is traditionally the company’s largest annual event, often marking the launch of its latest innovations, vehicles, and technologies.
Firefly’s models will be showcased and sold through Nio’s existing showrooms, sharing key services such as the company’s signature battery swap system. This innovative technology will allow Firefly models to benefit from Nio’s well-established infrastructure, providing a seamless customer experience across the brands. The Firefly brand, much like Nio’s main lineup, will offer the convenience of battery swapping, which has become a hallmark of Nio’s service ecosystem.
Nio’s management has previously mentioned that the Firefly sub-brand will target a lower price range, with models expected to be priced between RMB 100,000 and RMB 200,000 (approximately $14,000 to $28,000), making it more accessible to a broader audience. Despite the affordable pricing, Firefly’s vehicles are expected to meet five-star European safety standards, underscoring Nio’s commitment to quality and safety across its entire range.
Earlier in the year, Nio CEO William Li likened the Firefly brand’s role within Nio to that of Mini within BMW, focusing on smaller, more affordable vehicles while maintaining a high level of quality. This aligns with Nio’s strategy of diversifying its offerings across different price points to capture a wider range of customers in both domestic and international markets.
In addition to Firefly, Nio’s second brand, Onvo, officially launched its first model, the L60, in September 2024. The Onvo L60, which starts at RMB 206,900 ($29,240), including the battery, began deliveries in late September, with 832 units delivered by the end of the month. Nio’s overall group deliveries, including vehicles from its main brand, reached 21,181 units in September, marking the second-highest monthly deliveries in the company’s history.
Source: Cnevpost.com
