China manufacturer is serious about cheap Stromern
The race for the cheapest e-car continues. Long-established manufacturers like VW don’t have the best cards. Instead, Chinese manufacturers are also becoming active in this country. Nio soon wants to stir up the European market with real competitive prices – but you only realize that at second glance.
As soon as Nio has the first Stromer ready in Germany under its own name, a big change is already imminent: Nio wants to found two more brands that differ from the flagship primarily in terms of price.
Firefly: Chinese manufacturer plans cheap brand for electric cars
For the time being, they are called Alps and Firefly. The latter should Budget brand from Nio become. The Firefly project is therefore entrusted with an important task at Nio: to develop an electric car that costs around 25,000 euros can be offered. Not only would it stand out from the Nio models in terms of price, but both brands should be placed below the premium orientation of the parent company.
So far, Firefly and Alps are not fixed names. So it’s quite possible that Nio’s cheap e-cars will appear under a different name. It is considered certain that they will come: “There is definitely one in Europe greater need for smaller vehicles” than in China, according to William Li, CEO of Nio (Source: car).
The cheap models should also benefit from Nios battery changing technology. With the batteries that can be exchanged at automated stations, the manufacturer has created a unique selling point. The smaller e-cars would in all probability need their own changing stations tailored to their needs. But the Replacing the battery could bring the decisive cost advantage, that the mini-electric vehicles need compared to the competition.
Nio’s plan brings a breath of fresh air to the already tough competition from China:
Strong competition: VW must be careful
Because the price threshold is not only aimed at Nio for cheap e-cars. Also VW has been working on a cheap Stromer for a long time under 25,000 euros and wants to make it a reality with the ID.2. The important limit of less than 20,000 euros is also aimed at, but it will probably be a long time before this becomes reality.
Nio already wants the Firefly brand – possibly with a different name Launch in 2024. We don’t yet know how quickly the first models will start. What is clear, however, is that they are aimed specifically at European customers and should also be sold here first. Only later could the two brands be brought back to China.
Don’t want to miss any more news about technology, games and pop culture? No current tests and guides? Then follow us
Facebook
or Twitter.
