Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer NIO has officially announced its entry into the Singapore market, confirming the launch of its Firefly EV hatchback in early 2026. The move will mark the debut of NIO’s first right-hand-drive model and further strengthen its global expansion strategy.
The company has partnered with Wearnes Automotive, a leading luxury automotive distributor in Asia-Pacific, to manage sales and service operations for the Firefly in Singapore. The collaboration aims to deliver a premium yet affordable EV experience to urban customers, supported by NIO’s battery-as-a-service (BaaS) subscription model, which reduces upfront purchase costs and offers flexible ownership options.
Originally launched in China in late 2024, the Firefly has been designed as a compact, intelligent, and premium hatchback, catering to younger buyers and city commuters. Its entry into Singapore comes as the government accelerates EV adoption through policy support, incentives, and infrastructure development.
NIO’s Singapore launch is part of a wider global rollout that includes expansion into Uzbekistan with Abu Sahiy Motors and Costa Rica with Horizontes Cielo Azul Movilidad. Together with its ONVO and Firefly sub-brands, NIO is seeking to strengthen its presence across diverse international markets.
The success of the Firefly EV in Singapore will be closely watched, as it represents not only NIO’s first step into Southeast Asia but also its push to compete in compact EV segments traditionally dominated by Japanese and European automakers.