Firefly, the budget EV brand launched by Nio late last year, reached 30,000 vehicle deliveries and showcased a rally-inspired concept car at the Guangzhou Auto Show on Friday.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer William Li announced the milestone at the show’s opening, less than seven months after the sub-brand began deliveries in China.
Through October, Firefly had delivered 26,242 vehicles, primarily in China, with the remaining units going to European markets including Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Expansion Plans
The brand is “accelerating presence in 17 markets worldwide,” according to a company presentation, with Portugal, Greece, Luxembourg, Austria and Denmark set to receive vehicles soon, bringing its total market count to nine.
Firefly‘s expansion accelerated this week with the start of right-hand-drive production at its Hefei facility in Anhui province.
The first batch will ship to Singapore, with deliveries to Macau and Hong Kong planned for later this year. The United Kingdom, Thailand and Australia are targeted for 2026 entry.
Designed with Europe in mind, the brand was forced to adjust pricing and strategy when the European Commission announced a year ago that it would impose extra tariffs on imported battery electric vehicles from China.
As the Shanghai-headquartered company is only manufacturing its vehicles in China, markets with better trading policies have been prioritized in the expansion strategy, as the brand chief Daniel Jin said earlier this week.
Rally Concept Debuts
At its Guangzhou booth, Nio displayed a rally-style version of Firefly’s debut hatchback, developed in partnership with automotive design studio APW.
The concept features lowered suspension matching rally car specifications, carbon fiber aerodynamic components, and rally all-terrain tires.
“Firefly’s idea of shining freely and APW’s spirit of exploration merged to form the ‘Eye of the Storm’—a refined balance born from the collision of two powerful forces,” the company said.
