China’s Firefly rolls out right-hand drive EVs for S’pore market

Firefly, a compact electric vehicle brand owned by China’s Nio, is seeking growth in right-hand drive markets that are free from punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs and is preparing to ramp up deliveries to those destinations in 2026.

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A Nio Firefly on display at an exhibition in Shanghai in April. Launched in December 2024, it features a triple-circular headlight design and has mainly been marketed in China. In Singapore, the Firefly EV will be marketed as a boutique small car, priced higher than competitors like BYD's Dolphin, said CEO Daniel Jin.

(PHOTO: AFP)

On Nov 18, the brand said it rolled out its first batch of right-hand drive models for export to Singapore. Firefly also plans to enter Thailand and Britain in 2026 and talks are ongoing with local distributors, chief executive Daniel Jin told Reuters.

“We will significantly ramp up our efforts in countries without tariff barriers in the short term,” Mr Jin said, naming Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia as key markets.