NIO marked a major milestone last month, commemorating its tenth anniversary by publicly introducing its latest creation, the Firefly, marking a significant addition to its growing portfolio of innovative vehicles. The model is set to make its maiden automotive launch and debut its inaugural vehicle on December 21st in China, marking a significant milestone during Nio Day. To date, we’ve gathered all the information available on this subject.
Nio, a Shanghai-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled its latest model, Firefly, marking its third production car following the high-end Nio ES6 and the family-friendly Onvo ES1. The initiative targets a younger demographic seeking affordable and space-efficient electric vehicles. Initially thought to be a codename, Firefly was revealed by Nio in November as the actual model name and moniker for its first product. The company has recently introduced its official website, mobile application, and social media platforms.
A common tactic in advertising and marketing is to dub the flagship vehicle of a novel sub-brand with its name alone, thereby creating an instant brand identity. BMW reinvigorated its brand by revamping its iconic Mini model, transforming what was once a standalone automotive entity into an integral part of its portfolio. The first production electric vehicle (EV) under the Firefly brand is expected to bear the name Firefly.
Ford’s Firefly was originally conceived as a budget-friendly electric hatchback designed to rival the Volkswagen ID.3 in the European market, catering to customers seeking affordable and environmentally friendly options. Despite unimpressive European box office numbers and the revelation of additional tariffs, Firefly abandoned its initial Europe-focused strategy. The model was unexpectedly reoriented to debut in China rather than Europe, its initial intended market.
Despite a modest sales performance, with just 29 vehicles sold in November, NIO remains undeterred in its efforts to establish a foothold in the crucial European market, specifically Germany. Daniel Jin, Firefly’s CEO, announced plans to enter the European market by the end of Q1 2025, with a potential launch date slated for the same period. Following a successful foray into European markets, we intend to expand our reach by transferring our operations to Southeast Asian and Latin American territories.
Firefly first mannequin
The inaugural offering from Firefly is a compact, electric-powered hatchback featuring a removable and rechargeable battery system. NIO confirmed in July that Firefly, its latest electric vehicle model, will not be compatible with the prevailing battery swap stations used by NIO and ONVO, as previously reported by CarNewsChina in June. As the main distinction lies in size, Firefly’s compact EVs require substantially smaller battery packs compared to Nio’s larger vehicles like SUVs and sedans.
Niobas currently boasts a robust network of 2,800 swap stations across China, as well as 59 strategically located facilities in Europe, primarily situated in Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway. While none of these existing platforms may be suitable for the unique needs of the Firefly Electric Vehicle (EV) community, it’s likely that a dedicated space would be necessary to foster engagement and collaboration among owners. Despite the challenges, Firefly’s CEO remains upbeat, suggesting that deploying swap stations might actually happen sooner than expected due to their relatively small size and lower construction costs. Although Jin initially believes Firefly won’t establish battery swap stations initially, he anticipates deploying them as a response to customer demand.
Unlike Onvo, Firefly EVs are expected to be sold through Nio’s existing sales network, according to its CEO, who made the announcement in June. Deliveries are anticipated to commence by mid-2025.
Daniel Jin
After a 17-year tenure with Shanghai Auto and the SAIC-GM joint venture, Daniel Jin brought his expertise to Nio in 2022 as Normal Supervisor of Nio’s Sub-Model division. Earlier in the month, he received a formal offer to lead Firefly during an NIO media event.
Between 2009 and 2011, he was stationed at SAIC’s UK office in Birmingham. Prior to the announcement, Jin stated that a significant amount of effort had been invested in fine-tuning the Firefly’s chassis, with all of this work taking place within the United Kingdom.
Editor’s take
While Nio claims the Firefly is a global EV, it’s undeniable that China will be the primary market driving gross sales for this model until at least 2026-27. As the ongoing electric vehicle (EV) pricing battle persists within the Center Kingdom in 2025, industry experts and enthusiasts alike wonder aloud: What is the future hold for this highly anticipated market development? The price range for the new smartphone model is estimated to fall within a bracket of approximately 13,700 to 27,400 USD, or 100,000 to 200,000 yuan.
Starting at an affordable 206,900 yuan or $28,400 USD, the entry-level Onvo L60 features a generous 60-kilowatt-hour battery. The Firefly is expected to be a more affordable option compared to Onvo, but still needs to undercut competitors like BYD’s Dolphin and other electric hatchbacks starting at 99,800 yuan. To achieve this, we anticipate the Firefly’s price to begin around 140,000 yuan with battery and approximately 100,000 yuan without it, translating to $19,200 USD and $14,400 USD, respectively.
