NIO executives shared particulars of the Chinese language automaker’s third EV model, Firefly, in addition to what the brand new marque will name its first mannequin. The information comes about one month earlier than Firefly formally launches in China throughout its mother or father firm’s tenth annual NIO Day occasion.
Firefly is a brand new reasonably priced boutique EV model spun out by Chinese language automaker NIO. We’ve been awaiting the marque’s official launch for years after NIO 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 known as Onvo, which lately hit the market this yr, starting with its L60 SUV as a viable competitor to the Tesla Mannequin Y.
Along with “Alps” or Onvo information, there have been rumblings a few third NIO EV sub-brand, codenamed “Himalaya” but in addition referred to as “Firefly.” In December 2023, NIO’s president confirmed the much more reasonably priced EV sub-brand would be a part of Onvo in China in 2024, adopted by entry into European markets 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 that the brand new fashions might be priced between RMB 100,000 ($13,800) and RMB 200,000 ($27,500).
Up till now, we’ve solely seen camouflaged photographs of what a Firefly BEV would possibly appear to be as we await the anticipated launch, which we discovered is approaching December 21, 2024, in the course of the automaker’s tenth annual NIO Day occasion.
In the present day, nevertheless, we’ve discovered the identify of the primary Firefly mannequin and when NIO expects to start delivering it to prospects.
NIO’s first Firefly EV mannequin will undertake the identical identify
Following the posting of NIO’s Q3 2024 monetary outcomes, the automaker’s executives accomplished an earnings name, which supplied some new particulars concerning the Firefly EV model. The corporate confirmed that NIO’s third EV model will undertake the Firefly codename used internally up to now years.
Moreover, NIO confirmed the primary EV mannequin underneath the brand new model might be referred to as the Firefly as effectively, describing the brand new marque as an emblem of NIO’s innovation and class, however in a smaller package deal.
NIO additionally stated its Firefly EVs will exceed buyer expectations in design, security, house, intelligence, and power effectivity. Moreover, NIO executives shared plans for a brand new product cycle that may embrace deliveries underneath each its Onvo and Firefly manufacturers, enabling sooner international development.
Per NIO, the Firefly EV from Firefly will start deliveries in China within the first half of 2025, with future expansions to different markets to comply with. We’ll get our first have a look at the brand new mannequin and (hopefully) be taught what it’s going to price throughout NIO’s tenth annual NIO Day occasion on December 21. The corporate is already teasing the occasion, which often contains new product debuts and different thrilling developments. Per the NIO Weibo web page:
In the present day, the prelude to NIO’s tenth anniversary and NIO Day 2024 has formally begun. With the theme of ‘Collectively & Additional,’ we’ll proceed to share with you the ten-year story of NIO and its customers. At this yr’s NIO Day, NIO’s third model ‘FIREFLY Firefly’ may also be formally launched, and can proceed to undertake the ‘rechargeable, replaceable and upgradeable’ pure electrical know-how route.
That final half may very well be learn as reassurance that NIO’s new EV sub-brand will proceed to give attention to BEVs solely, regardless of earlier stories that the Chinese language automaker is engaged on an extended-range hybrid. NIO has publicly denied these stories. All eyes might be on NIO Day 2024 subsequent month. Verify again in with Electrek for a full recap.
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