Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio has opened its first pop-up store in the Middle East, ahead of a planned launch event later this month.
Targeting the Middle East and the North Africa (MENA) markets, Nio announced earlier this month it formed a joint venture with its major investor, the Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings.
Located at the Yas Mall, the largest shopping center in the UAE, the pop-up store showcases the brand’s flagship six-seater SUV, the EL8, alongside the EC6 coupe SUV, a model that has been only available for sale in China.
According to images shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, the company is also promoting its charging solutions and its lifestyle project Nio Life.
In late September, Nio’s founder and CEO, William Li, revealed that the company plans to open its first permanent showroom in Abu Dhabi, branded as Nio Space, in November.
“Nio House in Abu Dhabi will open in November. I’m also planning to visit Dubai either later this year or early next year,” Li said during a media briefing.
The company is currently preparing to open a showroom at the Galleria Al Maryah Island, the second-largest shopping destination in the UAE.
Earlier this month, Nio announced a joint venture with Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings, its major investor, to enter the MENA market as Nio MENA.
The company’s premium EV offerings will be complemented by two sub-brands—Onvo, which was introduced in May, and Firefly, a brand targeting smaller vehicles which is set to debut at Nio’s annual event on December 21.
The first showroom will be located at the Galleria Al Maryah Island, the second largest mall in the United Arab Emirates.
The company also unveiled plans to establish local production, marking its first manufacturing facility outside China.
The region’s first battery swap station is planned next to the Yas Marina Formula 1 Circuit.
Nio Group delivered 21,181 electric vehicles in September including 832 units of its sub-brand Onvo.
Onvo started deliveries of its first debut model on September 28 with October marking its first full month of deliveries in which the company aims to reach 5,000 units.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
