Will these two new cheap electric car brands come to Australia? Chinese manufacturer Nio announces 'Firefly' and 'Alps' sub-brands

A pair of new family and budget-focused electric car brands could be on the way to right-hand-drive markets around the world, if suggestions from the CEO of their parent company come to fruition.

Chinese EV brand Nio, known for luxury and premium EVs like the EP9 electric supercar and the ET7 executive sedan, is set to introduce two sub-brands, one called Alps which will produce more family-focused models, and another called Firefly that will do battle in the budget space.

While details are scarce so soon after the former’s announcement for Europe, right-hand-drive markets aren’t off the cards for the brand’s, meaning Australia could be on the list, and car makers like BYD and Tesla could have more competition.

Speaking to media, as reported by Autocar, Nio CEO William Li said of Alps that a focus on the family market instead of Nio’s premium bent “means product definition will be easier and clearer”.

“It has been over a month since the Alps VB was completed," said Li, with VB standing for ‘verification build’. 

“In contrast, high-end brands need to offer some emotional elements. Starting next year, you will see a different Nio as it introduces a second brand. The family market is distinct from the high-end market.”

Aside from the Alps brand’s more family focus, Li added that coming into a market that was already somewhat established presented opportunities.

Chinese EV brand Nio, known for luxury and premium EVs like the EP9 electric supercar and the ET7 executive sedan, is set to introduce two sub-brands, one called Alps which will produce more family-focused models, and another called Firefly that will do battle in the budget space.

“We're using our latecomer advantage. In the past, once the VB was completed, it would quickly enter [start of production]. But this time, we will wait a bit, and in the end, we will come in and disrupt the game," Li said. 

But perhaps most relevant to us here in Australia is Li’s suggestion to UK media that prototypes could lead to right-hand-market models - putting Australia similarly on the cards.

“Right-hand-drive prototypes do exist, but we will first focus on understanding and establishing ourselves in European markets,” Li said.

While the opportunity for electric car sales in continental Europe is much more lucrative than in Australia due to both population and policy, Australia’s gradual EV uptake has seen the meteoric rise of electric-only brands like Tesla and BYD.

While Nio itself might not be the kind of brand Australians are looking for just yet, its more affordable sub-brands Alps and Firefly could be the company’s ticket to ride.