Nio‘s sub-brand Firefly reversed the pricing structure of a hardware upgrade programme following a wave of owner complaints on Chinese social media that the prices were too high.
Firefly‘s chief Daniel Jin released a video statement announcing that the payment method for two aftermarket upgrades would be changed from a limited point discount to full point payment.
The decision allows owners to cover the entire cost using accumulated Nio membership points rather than cash.
“My final decision, after internal discussion, is that the aftermarket purchase of these two components can be paid for entirely with points,” Jin said. “After work starts tomorrow, we will update the purchase plan as soon as possible.”
The Backlash
Firefly announced on Monday a paid hardware upgrade programme for existing owners offering two options: a direct tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) upgrade priced at 1,208 yuan ($177) after a limited-time discount from 1,499 yuan, and a multi-function exterior mirror upgrade at 3,458 yuan ($506), discounted from 4,999 yuan.
Under the original terms, owners could offset part of the cost using Nio points — up to 2,000 points for the TPMS and 6,000 for the mirrors — but would need to pay the remainder in cash.
“The glowing journey continues to evolve, travel inspiration keeps growing,” the brand wrote in the poster shared in the app. “Go to the Firefly app → Firefly Select → Firefly Journey to order official modification services.”
The pricing drew immediate criticism on social media.
Owners complained about the prices, particularly because the recently launched second generation Firefly model — launched earlier this month at the same price as the original — already includes both features as standard, along with an OTA power increase to 120 kW.
Firefly said the upgrades involve significant labour.
The TPMS installation takes approximately two hours, while the mirror upgrade requires roughly 5.5 hours due to the disassembly and reassembly of wiring harnesses, the instrument panel, and door trim panels.
The promotion was valid through May 31, 2026, and could be ordered through the brand’s app.
The Refreshed Model
The upgrade programme followed the April 7 launch of a refreshed Firefly model that added the TPMS, improved side mirrors, and new colour options at the same price as the original lineup.
The Freedom Edition is priced from 119,800 yuan ($17,500) while the Glow Edition starts at 125,800 yuan ($18,400).
Under Nio’s Battery-as-a-Service rental model, those prices drop to 79,800 yuan and 85,800 yuan respectively, with a monthly battery subscription of 399 yuan — equivalent to $58.
The refresh also includes a free over-the-air motor power upgrade to 120 kW for all existing owners, due in mid-May. No hardware changes are required. In Sport mode, the update cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 7.9 seconds.
Firefly had indicated at the April 7 launch that paid retrofit options for older vehicles would be available “in about two weeks.” The April 13 pricing reveal was anticipated, but the figures surprised many owners.
Firefly Sales
After monthly volumes peaked above 7,000 units in December 2025, Firefly saw deliveries slump in January and February before rebounding to 6,119 units in March — the brand’s second-strongest month on record.
The sub-brand delivered 11,583 vehicles in Q1 2026 and crossed the 50,000 cumulative delivery mark on March 28, eleven months after handovers began.
Firefly accounted for 13.9% of Nio Group’s registrations in Q1 and 17.2% in March alone.
The brand is currently present in 10 countries across Europe and Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Costa Rica — Nio‘s first market in the Americas.
Costa Rica also marked the first market ever where the Shanghai-headquartered EV maker expanded to with its three marques simultaneously.
It aims to enter a cumulative total of 40 countries and regions by the year end.
It remains unclear whether the refreshed Firefly model will be launched in international markets.
