- The first batch of products in these new markets will include models from Nio, Onvo, and Firefly brands.
- Starting in 2026, Nio will launch Firefly in Singapore, marking the debut of Nio's first right-hand drive model.
Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO) announced today that it plans to enter Singapore, Uzbekistan, and Costa Rica in 2025 and 2026, further expanding its global footprint.
In Singapore, Nio will partner with automotive retailer Wearnes Automotive, which was founded in 1906 and distributes and retails multiple premium and luxury brands.
Starting in 2026, the two parties will launch Firefly, a small premium electric vehicle (EV), in Singapore, marking the debut of Nio's first right-hand drive model, according to a statement.
In Costa Rica, Nio will partner with Horizontes Cielo Azul Movilidad, the country's largest EV distributor, marking Nio's first entry into the Americas market.
In Uzbekistan, Nio will partner with Abu Sahiy Motors, marking its first entry into the Central Asian automotive market.
Abu Sahiy is a leading Uzbek group with extensive influence in logistics, real estate, and automotive sales and services.
The first models to be launched in these new markets will include vehicles from the Nio, Onvo, and Firefly brands.
- Costa Rica: Nio EL8 (ES8 in China), EL6 (ES6 in China), ET5 Touring (ET5T in China), Onvo L60, and Firefly.
- Uzbekistan: Nio EL8 (ES8 in China), EL6 (ES6 in China), ET5, ET5 Touring (ET5T in China), and Onvo L60.
- Singapore: the right-hand drive version of Firefly.
These partnerships mark a new milestone in Nio's global expansion, the company said, adding that in order to accelerate its entry into diversified global markets, it is partnering with experienced companies that have deep local expertise and extensive dealer networks.
Nio announced on May 6, 2021, that it would enter the Norwegian market, which is the company's first overseas market.
On October 1, 2021, the company opened its first Nio House in Norway, its first showroom in Europe, marking its official entry into the European market.
Since 2021, Nio has launched the ES8, ES7, ES6, ET7, ET5, and ET5T in Europe.
The EV maker initially adopted the same direct sales strategy in Europe as it did in its home market in China, but since last year, it has shifted to a light asset strategy relying on distributors.
So far this year, Nio has announced several partnerships with distributors in different countries.
On August 14, Firefly made its first vehicle deliveries in Norway and the Netherlands, marking the official entry of the Nio sub-brand into overseas markets.
Today's announcement means that the L60 mid-size SUV (sport utility vehicle) from the Onvo sub-brand will soon be available in overseas markets.
The L60 was launched in China in September 2024 as Onvo's first model and achieved the same top score as the Firefly and Huawei-backed Aito M9 in the latest C-IASI (China Insurance Automotive Safety Index) evaluation last month.
Currently, the Onvo brand is focused on delivering its second model, the L90, in China, while the Nio main brand will debut its third-generation ES8 SUV in China on August 21.
