Nio said it plans to enter the Australian and New Zealand markets in the second half of this year, extending its overseas expansion as the Chinese electric vehicle maker steps up its focus on right-hand-drive markets through its Firefly sub-brand.
The company is expected to launch its electric vehicles in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2026, Chris Chen, Nio’s head of global business, said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Thursday. Chen added that Nio will also enter Thailand in March with the launch of Firefly-branded vehicles, marking an early move into Southeast Asia.
See also: Nio’s Firefly Begins Mass Production of Right-Hand Drive Model
Australia, New Zealand and Thailand are right-hand-drive markets, differing from China’s left-hand-drive system, and have become a key focus for Nio’s international strategy. In November 2025, Firefly president Daniel Jin said the brand would enter the UK and Thailand in 2026 as it explored right-hand-drive markets not subject to punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. At the time, Jin said Firefly was in discussions with local dealers in both countries.
Nio is currently showcasing the right-hand-drive version of its Firefly electric vehicle — the only model under the Firefly sub-brand — at the Singapore auto show. The vehicle is Nio’s first right-hand-drive model and is expected to go on sale in Singapore around the 2026 Chinese New Year in February, according to company management. Deliveries of the left-hand-drive version have already begun in Europe.
See also: Firefly Reaches 30,000 Deliveries as Brand Prepares Major Global Expansion
Chen’s comments suggest Firefly will be rolled out to additional right-hand-drive markets following its Singapore launch. Nio has positioned Firefly as a premium compact electric vehicle aimed at urban use, with a lower price point that the company believes improves its commercial viability overseas.
Nio management said earlier this week that the company remains focused on the Chinese market this year while continuing a measured global expansion using Firefly as a test case. The automaker said it aims to operate in 40 countries and regions by the end of the year. Nio founder, chairman and chief executive William Li has said the company will only enter new markets when commercial viability is assured, adding that Firefly can meet that requirement in most regions. Nio began mass production of the right-hand-drive Firefly EV in November 2025, with the first batch shipped to Singapore.