Chinese brand Nio is paving the way for its UK launch this year following the start of right-hand drive (RHD) mass production of its electric Firefly supermini.
Firefly is Nio’s sub-brand which is being positioned as an all-electric rival for Mini and the Renault 5.
Nio has already launched left-hand drive versions in the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium and has been gearing up to launch in the UK for some time.
The Firefly is powered by a 143hp motor, a 42.1 kWh LFP battery and has a range of approximately 270 miles.
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The first RHD Firefly models will go to Singapore, but Nio has now officially said: “This marks a major step forward in Firefly’s global expansion, paving the way for entry into more international markets.
“There are plans to expand further into 17 countries across Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia.”
As one of the largest RHD markets in the world, the UK stands out as the next potential destination to launch sales.
The Chinese EV brand had previously been looking to launch in the UK with a direct sales model much like Tesla, but paused its plans after changing its strategy for Europe.
Nio had set up a UK sales office in Milton Keynes in 2023 led by Matt Galvin, who departed to lead Polestar in the UK in June 2024.
Much like other new Chinese brands, Nio will be offering its dealer partners a portfolio of brands, including small EV cars through Firefly, as well as a selection of all-electric SUVs and saloons through the Nio brand.
Nio has said it is now partnering with local distributor groups across Europe to set the foundation for future expansion. It has already partnered with Hedin Mobility in Europe, which could hint a potential partnership with its Hedin Automotive UK division too, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
Thijs Meijling, head of Nio Europe Business, said: “Europe is a core pillar of our global strategy and a region where we see tremendous potential for smart, user-centric mobility.
“Our expansion follows a clear principle: we focus on markets where our integrated service and product landscape can unfold its full potential and deliver tangible value to users.
“With a scalable business model driven by digital innovation and a multi-brand portfolio that addresses both premium and urban segments, we are setting new standards for what smart mobility in Europe can be – intelligent, flexible, and built around users’ needs.”