China's Nio reveals budget-priced electric car destined for Europe, a chance for Australia
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Meet the Firefly, a new city-sized electric car from Chinese newcomer Nio that is destined for Europe – and may eventually reach Australia.
Nio – China’s fifth-best seller of electric cars last year – has debuted a new Firefly brand planned to field a range of more affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in global markets such as Europe and, possibly, Australia.
The first model is a city hatchback simply named Firefly, which Nio has aimed at the latest Chinese-made electric Mini Cooper hatch and Smart #1 SUV.
In its home market, it is priced similarly to a middle-of-the-range MG 4, which starts from about $40,000 to $45,000 in Australia before discounts.
While it will be sold in China, the car has been designed for export, as Nio says four million small cars of the Firefly’s type are sold in Europe each year, compared to 1.2 million in its home market.
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Nio has confirmed the Firefly sub-brand will be launched in Europe shortly after it goes on sale in China in April 2025.
Plans for Australia are yet to be confirmed, and the Firefly has not been locked in for any right-hand-drive market – such as the UK which, unlike mainland Europe, does not impose hefty tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.
The car maker – founded in 2014 – has previously hinted at selling its cars locally, illuminating Australia on a map at a 2021 event when announcing plans to sell its cars in “over 25 countries and regions” by 2025.
Nio already sells cars under its own brand in Europe, while Automotive News Europe reported last week another Nio sub-brand – named Onvo – is planned to reach the UK in 2025, before expanding to the continent.
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Prices for the Firefly hatch start from 148,800 Chinese yuan ($AU32,100) during the pre-order stage, but car prices in China are lower than in Europe or Australia.
At home, the Firefly is slightly cheaper than a mid-grade MG 4 – priced from 163,800 yuan, or $44,990 plus on-road costs in Australia – but more expensive than a top-spec BYD Dolphin (129,800 yuan, or $42,890 in Australia).
A model variant equivalent to the most affordable Smart #1 in Australia ($54,900 plus on-road costs) is priced from 174,900 yuan in China, which would point to a circa-$45,000 price for the Firefly if sold locally.
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The Firefly hatch bears a resemblance to the now-defunct Honda E electric car, with smooth surfaces, and distinctive ‘trio’ LED headlight and tail-light signatures.
No images of the interior have been released, but it appears to be minimalist with a pair of large screens, as well as a two-spoke steering wheel with flat top and bottom edges.
Limited technical details have been published, beyond a handful of specifications, including a 4.7-metre turning radius (or 9.4m circle) that is smaller than a Fiat 500e, nine airbags, and a claim the vehicle has been engineered for a five-star safety rating in Europe.
Nio has quoted a 92-litre front storage area – bigger than much larger and more expensive cars, and featuring a drainage plug – plus a 1250L boot with the rear seats folded, which is smaller than a BYD Dolphin but bigger than an MG 4.
Dimensions for the car are yet to be published, but Nio CEO William Li said it is “more mini than Smart,” suggesting it is similar in size to city cars such as the electric Renault 5 or petrol VW Polo.
Overseas media reports claim the Firefly may be available with Nio’s battery swapping technology, which offers a quicker alternative to recharging by using automated stations that lift the car up, remove the empty battery, and fit a recharged one in a matter of minutes.
The brand operates more than 2900 such stations globally – which on average swap one battery every second – though few are in Europe, and most are in China.
More details on the Firefly electric car are due closer to its Chinese launch in April next year.
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