Firefly, the premium compact EV brand under Nio Inc, has started mass production of its right-hand drive variant, marking a key step in the company’s overseas expansion strategy. Nio said the first batch of the right-hand drive Firefly EVs, produced on November 18, will be shipped to Singapore.
Nio launched the Firefly brand at Nio Day 2024 and introduced the Firefly EV in China on April 19 after initially planning a European debut. The change in strategy followed the introduction of higher EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Firefly deliveries in Europe began on August 14 in Norway and the Netherlands, later expanding to Belgium, with additional launches planned in Denmark, Greece, Austria, Portugal, and Luxembourg.
See also: Nio’s Firefly EV to Use Company’s Own Battery Swap Stations, Bypassing CATL Network
The company is shifting from its original direct-sales approach toward an asset-light national distributor model to support faster expansion. In August, Nio announced a partnership with Singapore-based Wearnes Automotive to introduce the Firefly EV in the country beginning in 2026.
Firefly has also increased shipments to Europe and recently said its overseas rollout will extend to North America. A major shipment departed from Shanghai’s Waigaoqiao Port in early November.
New Variant With Higher-Power Motor
Firefly has filed for regulatory approval in China for a higher-output version of its compact electric model. The variant features a 120-kW motor developed by Nio’s in-house XPT division, compared with the current 105-kW unit. Other specifications remain unchanged, including its five-seat layout, 4,003-mm length, 2,615-mm wheelbase, and 150-km/h top speed.
