Chinese carmaker Nio has launched a new sub-brand with the first model being an EV, christened the Firefly. The model will be first sold in China but plans will it launched in Europe in the first half of 2025.
Details for the Firefly are scarce but reports indicate that it will carry Nio’s battery swapping technology. Pre-orders in China start at CNY148,800 (approx. RM91k) with deliveries beginning in Q2 of 2025.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but something tells us the Honda e isn’t thrilled by the adulation. That aside, the Firefly has a distinctive triple headlight and taillight layout.
No photos of the interior were released but it should follow a minimalist theme with large screens. Cargo space is generous with a 92-litre frunk and 1,250 litres of room in the back with the rear seats folded.
The torsional rigidity is quoted at 35,700 Nm/degree, which for perspective is the highest in its class, giving it a five-star C-NCAP rating. Of course, the nine airbags and ADAS suite aides that rating as well.
Nio isn’t shy about throwing the Firefly into the deep end. A video on Weibo saw it going up against the latest Mini Cooper SE and smart #1 over a small track to showcase its manoeuvrability. Coupled with a turning radius of 4.7 metres, Nio is confident the Firefly will be well suited for narrow European roads.
Nio currently deploys the direct sales model in Europe but Firefly will use the traditional route of a local partner. Several European partners are already signed up and will also invest in the infrastructure for the battery swap stations.
The delay in the European launch is due to the tariffs imposed that came into effect in October. Each carmaker is assigned a different rate, with Tesla China the lowest at 7.8% and SAIC the highest at 35.3%. Nio falls in between at 20.7%.
