The first model of Nio's (NYSE: NIO) third brand Firefly will be officially launched on April 19, and will use Nio's battery swap stations instead of CATL's stations.
Daniel Jin, president of Firefly, revealed the plan today on the brand's mobile app, saying that subsequent new models under the new brand will use CATL's (SHE: 300750) battery swap standard.
Earlier today, Nio announced an agreement with CATL to build the world's largest battery swap service network.
CATL's Choco-Swap technology standard and network will be introduced into Firefly's subsequent newly developed models, according to a statement from Nio.
The partnership has brought a lot of attention to Firefly, Jin said, adding that it is therefore necessary to explain the strategy of battery swap stations for the Nio sub-brand.
In the initial phase of the launch of Firefly's first model, Nio will set up demonstration battery swap stations in cities with a high number of users, according to Jin.
In the future, the model will be connected to Nio's fifth-generation battery swap stations, thus integrating into Nio's battery swap system, Jin said.
The new battery swap stations that Nio is currently adding in China are the fourth-generation stations that are compatible with Onvo's.
"Subsequent new models, which are currently being pre-researched, will introduce CATL's Choco-Swap standard and network in due course," Jin said.
The first Firefly model will be officially launched on April 19, Jin added.
Nio officially launched the Firefly brand on Nio Day 2024 on December 21, 2024 to challenge the BMW Mini as well as Mercedes-Benz's Smart with an eye on the global market.
Firefly's first model shares the sub-brand's name and is positioned as a premium boutique small car.
The compact battery electric vehicle (BEV) model was available for pre-sale in China on Nio Day 2024 at a price of RMB 148,800 yuan ($20,600), and will hits the market in April, Nio said at the time.
The model is powered by a battery pack with a capacity of 42.1 kWh and a CLTC range of 420 kilometers.
Notably, CATL announced a #20 swapable battery pack on December 18 last year, also with a capacity of 42 kWh based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry.
This coincidence sparked some speculation on social media that Firefly's first model may use CATL battery packs.
However, a regulatory filing on February 17 revealed that the Firefly carries LFP batteries, but the supplier is Sunwoda.
This is the first time Sunwoda has been among Nio's suppliers. The battery maker started as a phone battery maker and went public on China's A-share market in 2011.
($1 = RMB 7.2238)
Regulatory filing: Nio Firefly has 42.1 kWh battery pack, 420 km CLTC range
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