Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has launched a new brand to compete with luxury compact electric vehicle brands such as Smart and Mini.

The new brand is named Firefly, which is set to be positioned between Nio’s own brand and Onvo in terms of size, features, and pricing.

The first model to hit the market in Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia will be a hatchback designed with elements reminiscent of the now-discontinued Honda e.

Designed by former BMW and Ford designer Kris Tomasson, the Firefly hatchback features a unique design element: its LED headlights and taillights resemble the lens of an iPhone camera.

Other notable features include flush door handles, cute six-spoke wheels, and body cladding made from sustainable materials.

This urban EV offers a front cargo space of 92 liters with a water drainage function, and the rear cargo area can expand to 1,250 liters when the second-row seats are folded flat.

While the overall dimensions of the Firefly hatchback have not yet been disclosed, it is likely to be similar in size to models like the BYD Dolphin and Renault 5, with a turning radius of 9.4 meters.

Nio also claims that this EV has been designed to achieve a five-star rating in Euro NCAP and C-NCAP tests, featuring safety measures that include nine airbags as standard equipment.

The use of aluminum and high-strength steel, constituting 83.4 percent of the vehicle’s structural body, along with dual impact beams in the front doors, contributes to a top-tier torsional rigidity figure in its class (35,700 Nm).

Currently, the specifications for the Firefly’s battery and electric motor have not been revealed, but Nio has indicated that the Firefly will support battery swapping functionality.

In the Chinese market, the Firefly can be pre-ordered starting at 148,800 yuan (approximately RM91,085).

By the end of 2025, Nio aims to have the Firefly brand established in 25 countries.