Firefly, Nio’s third brand, has officially launched its first electric vehicle (EV) model to compete with the BMW Mini and Mercedes-Benz Smart. The Firefly model, with the same name as the brand, is priced at RMB 119,800 ($16,410) in China, with deliveries scheduled to begin on April 29.
This price is RMB 29,000 (19.49 percent) lower than the pre-sales price of RMB 148,800 when it was available for pre-sales at Nio Day 2024 last December. The Firefly model comes in two options, starting at RMB 119,800 and RMB 125,800 respectively.
Compared to other electric vehicles in the market, Firefly’s starting price is lower than the discounted starting price of the Mini Cooper and Smart #1 in China. Additionally, Firefly supports battery swap technology, allowing customers to opt for a BaaS (battery as a service) battery rental purchase program, further reducing the upfront cost of purchasing the vehicle.
The BaaS program for Firefly will be available starting August 1, as announced by the brand’s president, Daniel Jin. Firefly vehicles will be connected to Nio’s fifth-generation battery swap stations early next year, with plans to set up demonstration stations in cities with a high user base after the model’s launch.
Unlike Nio’s other sub-brand, Onvo, Firefly will share a sales channel with the Nio brand, making it more accessible to customers. At the upcoming 2025 Shanghai auto show starting on April 23, Firefly will showcase its models alongside Nio-brand vehicles in Hall 7.1H.
Firefly’s official product launch event is scheduled for April 19, with a full-day event leading up to the launch at 8 pm Beijing time. With its competitive pricing, battery swap technology, and strategic marketing approach, Firefly aims to make a mark in the compact EV segment and offer customers a compelling alternative to traditional brands.
