In addition to the mass-market EV brand Onvo, Chinese automaker Nio is gearing up to launch a new brand in Europe by 2025. Named Firefly, this brand will prioritize offering small to mid-sized EVs at competitive prices. Its inaugural model was recently sighted undergoing testing in China, concealed under heavy camouflage.
The camouflaged prototype appears to resemble a hatchback, although Chinese media are labeling it as a crossover. It’s possible that some plastic cladding concealed under the thick wrap could result in a design akin to the Subaru Crosstrek. From the spy shots, it’s challenging to determine if it will be similar in size to the VW ID.3 or closer to the upcoming ID.2.
The EV features a five-door bodystyle with squared-out lighting units and a clamshell boot. Additionally, a large spoiler covers the rear glass, complemented by robust C-pillars. Unlike Nio’s pricier offerings, Firefly EVs will lack sophisticated LiDAR sensors.
More: Nio’s New Mass Market Onvo EV Brand Takes Aim At Tesla
The fully electric prototype was spotted during early development testing near one of Nio’s battery-swapping facilities. It’s believed that it should be compatible with this kind of technology, eliminating long charging times for those with access to a battery-swapping station. Unfortunately, we don’t have any information about the technical specifications of the electric powertrain.
What we know for sure is that Firefly will position itself competitively in the market, undercutting both its parent company Nio and the upcoming Tesla-rivaling Onvo stablemate in terms of pricing. Reports suggest that its models will range between ¥100,000-200,000 ($13,900-27,800) in China, and start from under €30,000 ($32,500) in Europe.
William Li, CEO of Nio, likened Firefly’s role within the company to what Mini represents for BMW. This comparison suggests that despite being positioned as an affordable brand, Firefly EVs may still offer premium styling and features. In another interview, Li expressed that the new products will enable Nio to compete more aggressively against Volkswagen, hinting at Firefly’s potential impact in the market.
As reported by CarNewsChina, Firefly EVs will be manufactured in mainland China. Potential production sites include Chuzhou and Hefei, situated in the Anhui province.
