Nio unveiled the primary EV underneath the brand new Firefly model. The compact electrical hatchback is called Firefly, as is the model itself. Preorders for the Firefly have began in China at 148,800 yuan (20,800 USD).
The Firefly EV, like all Nio automobiles, options swappable batteries. Nonetheless, it wasn’t disclosed whether or not the preorder worth included the battery or not. CarNewsChina expects that the value doubtless corresponds to the model with one.
Nio’s CEO, William Li, stated through the Nio Day convention in Guangzhou that the Firefly EV will formally launch in April 2025.
Firefly is a compact hatchback initially supposed for European launch. Nonetheless, after disappointing Nio model gross sales on the Previous Continent and incurring extra tariffs, the corporate determined to launch it first in China.
EV’s primary exterior design characteristic is a trio of circle lights with a black hatched grille. It has a brief hood and a large C pillar that seamlessly transitions right into a roof. The EV’s turning radius is 4.7 meters, which is appropriate for slim European streets, in accordance with Nio. It additionally helps all-scenario parking.
Firefly was created by Kris Tomasson, Nio’s Design Vice President. Tomasson is an industrial designer with expertise from BMW and Ford. In 2015, he joined the Munich workplace of NextEV, which later modified its title to Nio.
Regardless of being a small EV, it has a trunk that holds 92 liters. The utmost trunk capability is over 1,250 liters.
The Firefly EV boasts a five-star security (C-NCAP 2024 normal) score. Its physique construction is 83.4% high-strength metal. Because of this, its torsional rigidity reaches 35,700 Nm/diploma, a category highest in accordance with Nio. It additionally affords 9 airbags and an ADAS system. Nonetheless, Li didn’t present extra particulars on it.
The brand new model will probably be offered by means of Nio gross sales networks, not like Onvo, which has its personal channels. The positioning of Firefly is much like what Mini is to BMW. The Firefly EV will launch in April subsequent yr, almost certainly on the Shanghai Auto Present.
The pre-sales worth of Firefly EV is similar as the present supplier’s worth of Mini Cooper in China – 148,800 yuan. The 2024 Mini Cooper launched in July in China for 209,800 yuan (28,800 USD), and after large reductions in October ended on the present worth.
2024 Good #1 was launched in April in China for a extra cheap 154,900 yuan and is holding this worth till as we speak. In November, 2,463 items have been offered, down 4.1% from the earlier month, in accordance with China EV DataTracker.
Xpeng’s Mona M03 fastback sedan/hatchback begins at 119,800 yuan (16,400 USD) in China; nevertheless, with a virtually 4.8-meter size, that may be a a lot bigger automobile.
Firefly will compete with BMW’s Mini, Mercedes-Benz & Geely’s three way partnership Good, and Volkswagen ID.3. The European launch is formally unknown, however Li highlighted through the presentation that Firefly is a worldwide EV. Firefly CEO Daniel Jin beforehand hinted that the model can be unveiled in Europe in Q2 2025, with Latin America and Southeast Asia following.
