EV maker Nio is looking for a dealership in Macau as it continues to switch to a mixed business model, which includes its direct-to-consumer showrooms but also local dealerships.
Although the company initially entered Europe with only flagship showrooms in city centers, it will start selling its EVs through local dealerships later this year in the new European markets it plans to enter over the next 18 months.
According to a post released on the Nio app on Saturday, the brand is adopting a “General Agent Partnership Model” after assessing the market’s needs. (Read the full statement below.)
The dealership will be “fully responsible” for Nio‘s operations in Macau, which include “market operations, user service network development, and brand ecosystem growth.”
The Group is set to announce the list of partners by “mid to late June,” marking the official launch of the brand in the city.
According to Nio‘s website, the company currently operates two battery swap stations in Macau, out of a total of 3,361 across China.
Last week, the Group announced it is expanding to seven new European markets, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania.
The Shanghai-based company will enter these markets through dealerships with groups such as AutoWallis and Hedin Mobility Group.
The Group plans to introduce both its Nio and Firefly brands to the new markets. In contrast, its Onvo brand is not currently planned for international expansion.
In May, Nio sold 58 EVs across Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Registrations rose slightly from April, when the EV maker sold 52 units.
The figures still represent a significant sales plunge from May 2024: the company listed 29 vehicles in Norway (-56% year over year), 22 in Germany (-37%), 5 in the Netherlands (-75%), 2 in Sweden (-89%) and none in Denmark.
Last week, as the company released its first-quarter earnings, Nio’s founder and CEO William Li reaffirmed that the company is expected to become profitable by the end of 2025.
Over the weekend, Nio said that several individuals have been detained and punished in China for spreading false information about the company, including rumors that it had been acquired earlier this year.
Here’s the full statement by Nio:
“Announcement on the Upgrade of NIO’s Cooperation Model in the Macau Market
To continuously optimize the user service experience in the Macau region, NIO is officially launching a strategic upgrade to a “General Agent Partnership Model.”
After a careful assessment of Macau’s market characteristics, we will select strategic general agent partners with comprehensive service capabilities, who will be fully responsible for NIO’s brand operations in Macau, including market operations, user service network development, and brand ecosystem growth.
This move aims to leverage the strengths of localized professional teams to provide more efficient delivery services and a higher-quality car ownership experience for users in Macau.
The selection of general agents is currently progressing in an orderly manner based on NIO’s global cooperation standards.
The bidding process strictly adheres to principles of openness, fairness, and professionalism. The final list of partners will be officially announced through NIO’s official channels in mid to late June 2025.
As a smart electric vehicle brand that always positions itself as a “user enterprise,” NIO will continue to enhance its global market layout through innovative models.
We sincerely thank all our partners for their trust and support. The expectations and feedback from users in Macau have always been the driving force behind our progress.
Let us look forward to a more convenient smart mobility experience unveiling new possibilities along the shores of Macau.”
