An ever-evolving stream of rumors is emerging from China surrounding EV automaker NIO and what it will deliver next. Following reports earlier this year that NIO would be developing phones of its own, we’ve gathered the latest updates, as well as the automaker’s rumored plans for additional brands aimed at delivering the EV’s price between $15,000-$30,000.
There’s a lot left open here, so we’ll skip some general background details and kick the door on the NIO rumor mill. Last March, we reported that NIO CEO William Lee had confirmed that the Chinese automaker was indeed exploring the possibility of developing its own mobile phones.
At the time, Lee said that NIO was only in the research phase, but it aimed to provide a branded phone that could easily integrate with its EVs and provide customers with a holistic system. Furthermore, the NIO chief named the long-rumored Apple Car as a major competitor and cited the automaker’s decision to locate the phone in anticipation of its arrival.
According to a recent Weibo post by blogger “Toner says battery is not fat” (translated from Chinese), William Lee sat down to chat face-to-face and shared some new details of the NIO phone:
- The NIO mobile phone will not feature a folding or curved screen and will sport a candy bar design
- It will come as the best mobile phone to match NIO’s EV
- It will be a “beautiful mobile phone” that will share the same color as its vehicles
- NIO will release one flagship phone every year
- About two months after the first adopters will use the chips. cnewpost Revealed that the first NIO phone could use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip based on Timeline
- The phone will be cheaper than the Apple iPhone
- Rumored to cost over $1,000 and will come with surprises and features in the way it is purchased
- It is expected to come within next year
local Chinese media outlets national business daily has also said that Lee made these comments about the NIO phone.
NIO ES7 SUV
Not just phones, but NIO’s third EV brand?
In addition to the latest phone news, Chinese outlets are reporting that NIO is developing a third EV-focused brand that aims to deliver vehicles at the lowest prices yet. For a year now, there has been a murmur of code for a second, mass-market brand, ALPS, to join the NIO family.
That brand is confirmed and is making progress with a goal of delivering EVs in China between RMB 150,000-300,000 (~$22-$44k) starting mid-2024. according to a report by 36 Krypton Based out of China, NIO is already working on a third sub-brand, named Project Firefly, which distributes EVs to serve the low-mid EV segment.
NIO, ALPS, and Firefly will all work independently with their own R&D pipelines and core teams. The EVs that fall under the third marque are expected to cost between RMB 100,000-200,000 ($~15-$30k), with the Chinese outlet comparing the tiered branding strategy for Lexus, Toyota and Suzuki, across multiple segments and price points. covered.
NIO wouldn’t comment on the third EV brand and whether to confirm this point, but we’ll be sure to report back when things solidify and we know more. Keep in mind that these rumors remain until the NIO is confirmed.
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