China's electric Mini Cooper rival appears to be a lock for Australian showrooms after a prototype was spotted testing on local roads in right-hand drive.
Electric Cars
Nio could be the next electric-car brand from China to launch in Australia, after a prototype of one of its first right-hand-drive models – the Firefly hatch – was spotted testing locally.
The 11-year-old, Shanghai-based car maker already operates in left-hand-drive European markets, but it is planning to use the BYD Dolphin-sized Firefly hatch to expand into right-hand-drive countries.
The Firefly has been confirmed for the UK and Singapore, with right-hand-drive production reportedly due to begin this October, and Nio trademarked the name in Australia earlier this year.
Also mooted for right-hand-drive markets is Nio's Onvo brand, which offers a mid-size BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5 rival known as the L60, plus the larger, seven-seat L90 to rival the Kia EV9.
It is unclear if the master Nio brand's range of mid-size and large luxury-priced cars, which are closer to Tesla on price and positioning, would be sold locally, as they are not made in right-hand drive.
Arrival timing for the Firefly brand is yet to be confirmed, but it could be here as soon as next year, after a roll-out in other right-hand-drive markets this year.
The Firefly city hatch has been developed with established markets such as Europe in mind, with styling reminiscent of the Honda E city electric car, or a Mini Cooper.
It was introduced in China at the end of 2024, priced from 148,800 yuan ($AU32,100) – slightly cheaper than a mid-grade MG 4 (163,800 yuan) in its home market, a car which costs $45,000 in Australia.
Measuring 4003mm long and 1781mm wide, it is similar in size to a Volkswagen Polo or Toyota Yaris, and uses a 105kW rear electric motor and 42.1kWh battery pack.
The Firefly is rated with a 420km driving range in Chinese CLTC lab testing, claiming a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.2 seconds, and DC fast charging at up to 100kW for a 10 to 80 per cent recharge in 29 minutes.
Available features include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a 13.2-inch touchscreen, 6.0-inch instrument display, ambient cabin lighting, leather-look upholstery with cloth or microfibre accents, and heated, ventilated and massaging front seats.
It has been designed with a five-star Euro NCAP – and therefore ANCAP – safety rating in mind, and there is a suite of driver-assistance features on board, including automatic lane changes.
Drive has reached out to Nio representatives in Europe and China to confirm the company's plans for the Australian market, and will update this story if a response is received.
Electric Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
