- Firefly will leverage the details of HERE's global maps, including connected navigation and ADAS.
- Firefly will also leverage HERE's speed limit data to support EU-wide Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) requirements.
Nio's (NYSE: NIO) sub-brand Firefly has partnered with international location data giant HERE Technologies to pave the way for overseas smart driving services.
HERE and Firefly have entered into a partnership to provide the Nio sub-brand with map data and location services to enhance its electric vehicles (EVs) and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), according to a press release issued today.
The partnership aims to enhance the safety, efficiency, and overall driving experience of Firefly's smart EVs, HERE said.
Firefly will leverage the rich details of HERE's global maps, including connected navigation and ADAS.
The Nio sub-brand will also utilize HERE's speed limit data to integrate the latest speed limit information, supporting EU-wide Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) requirements, HERE said.
Additionally, through HERE's partnership with Telenav Inc, Firefly will integrate a suite of HERE location services to enhance the digital cockpit and navigation experience tailored for EVs, including real-time traffic insights.
Firefly is Nio's sub-brand targeting the premium compact EV market, which officially launched its first model, named after the brand, in China on April 19, with deliveries beginning on April 29.
The Firefly EV, including the battery pack, starts at RMB 119,800 ($16,700) in China, with its most direct competitors including the BMW Mini and Mercedes-Benz Smart.
Firefly targets the global market, and Nio initially planned to launch the sub-brand's first model in Europe, but later chose to debut it in China due to the complexity of EU tariffs.
Last month, two product managers from Firefly drove from Berlin, Germany, through seven countries -- Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, and Austria -- over a 15-day testing period.
HERE originated in 1985 and was acquired by Nokia in the early 2000s. In 2015, Nokia sold the HERE business to a consortium of leading automotive companies, including Audi, BMW, and Daimler.
"To bring firefly to Europe, we needed to collaborate with a partner who understands the complexities of global mobility," said Chris Chen, vice president of global business development at Nio.
"With HERE's expertise, we can ensure that firefly drivers experience the same seamless and intelligent mobility solutions, no matter where they are," Chen said.
The partnership is expected to pave the way for Firefly's upcoming launch in Europe.
In response to a question from CnEVPost during a media roundtable in Shanghai ahead of the Shanghai auto show in late April, Nio co-founder and president Qin Lihong said that Firefly would select an appropriate time between June and August to launch its first model in Europe.
By the end of this year, Firefly would enter about 20 overseas markets, with the right-hand drive version set to be ready by October at the latest, according to Qin.
The right-hand drive version of Firefly will first be available in markets including the UK and Southeast Asia, Qin said.
($1 = RMB 7.1727)
