Correction: Nio's first battery swap station in the MENA region will be in operation at the end of this year. Its previous statement had a typo that said 2025.
Nio has already begun deliveries of the ES8 in the UAE, while local deliveries of the EC6 and ET5 will begin in the first quarter of 2025.
Nio (NYSE: NIO) has opened its first Nio House in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the start of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker's efforts to bring its service network to overseas markets beyond Europe.
The company opened Nio House Abu Dhabi in the UAE on November 28, local time, the first Nio House in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, marking an important step in the company's globalization, according to a statement.
The 970-square-meter facility, located on Al Maryah Island, the hub of Abu Dhabi's urban center and modern development, was designed with “Desert Modernity” in mind, Nio said.
The facility is a fusion of Nio's design DNA and local culture, the company said.
Nio House is Nio's flagship showroom, and the facility in China typically has two floors, the first of which is a vehicle display area, while the second is an area for Nio owners only.
Nio House Abu Dhabi features a lounge, event and meeting space, café and EV displays.
“NIO House Abu Dhabi is a landmark addition to our global network, and the first of its kind in the MENA region,” according to William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of Nio.
“As we celebrate NIO's 10th anniversary, this new chapter in our growth reflects our commitment to the region, as well as our mission to shape a sustainable and brighter future together with our community,” Li said.
On the opening day of the facility, Nio also announced that the EL8 -- known as the ES8 in China -- has been delivered in the UAE market, and that local deliveries of the EC6 and ET5 will begin in the first quarter of 2025.
Nio's first battery swap station in the MENA region will be in operation at the end of 2024, the company said.
The company briefly mentioned during its third-quarter earnings call on November 20 that Nio House Abu Dhabi would officially open on November 28, and that it was already conducting sales and deliveries in the UAE.
The opening of Nio House Abu Dhabi marks the official start of the Chinese EV maker's premium offering for owners and potential customers outside of China and Europe.
The company unveiled its plans to enter the global market in May 2021 and opened its first Nio House in an overseas market in Norway on October 1 of the same year, marking the official start of its international expansion efforts.
In Europe, Nio's vehicles are available in five markets -- Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark.
On October 4, Nio signed an agreement with its Middle East backer, Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings, to establish Nio MENA, marking its entry into the MENA market.
The UAE had been selected as the initial market for Nio MENA, positioning the region as a key player in the deployment of advanced autonomous driving systems and battery swap technologies.
Nio and CYVN also planned to establish a research and development center in Abu Dhabi that would focus on the development of autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, according to an October 5 statement from the EV maker.
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