Chinese EV automaker NIO took to social media to announce expansion plans to seven new European markets. This multi-brand strategy will bring even more BEVs from NIO and Firefly to EU customers.
NIO ($NIO) is looking to add clout to its status as a rising global brand. It was only four years ago that the Chinese EV automaker announced its first expansion plans into European markets, beginning in Norway. The company has since set up sales in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Those EU models include the NIO ES6, ES7, ES8, ET5, ET5T, and ET7. However, due to a trademark dispute with Audi, the “ES” models have been renamed “EL” in the EU (EL6, EL7, etc).
Additionally, NIO has recently begun selling the two flagship EVs from its sub-brands, the Onvo L60 and Firefly, to European customers.
Earlier today, NIO took to X and Weibo to announce additional expansion plans for Europe, including sales of the Firefly.
NIO and Firefly to expand to these seven European markets
Per the post on X, NIO intends to begin selling its BEVs in the following European markets through 2025 and 2026:
- Austria
- Belgium
- The Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Luxembourg
- Poland
- Romania
NIO divulged even more details on Weibo, including what models will be sold in those additional EU markets. Those BEVs include the EL6, EL8, ET5, ET5 Touring (ET5T), and the Firefly EV (seen above). Per the post:
In the Belgian and Luxembourg markets, NIO will cooperate with Hedin Mobility Group, a leading European travel service group. In Central and Eastern Europe, NIO will join hands with AutoWallis, a leading regional travel service group, to first cover the Austrian and Hungarian markets in 2025, and plans to start deliveries in the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania in 2026, bringing innovative, sustainable and high-quality smart electric travel experiences to local users.
There you have it. Five BEV models across two NIO brands, reaching new European customers as early as this year. We’re sure this won’t be the last we hear about Firefly in Europe, as the NIO sub-brand was supposed to initially launch overseas ahead of China. NIO co-founder and president, Qin Lihong, recently told CnEVPost that Firefly would enter approximately 20 overseas markets by the end of 2025, with the right-hand drive version expected to hit the market in October at the latest.
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