The Chinese multinational automaker known for its battery-swapping technology has reportedly announced its European launch plans ahead of the expected UK arrival in 2023. According to AM Online, NIO revealed its planned products and services for the European market, including Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden, at its European launch event in Berlin.
NIO’s European offering will also include a vehicle subscription service. With this, customers would be offered periods ranging from one to sixty months.
CEO William Li, NIO founder, chairman, and CEO, stated, “Serving users in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden is an important step in realizing NIO’s 2025 plan and offering our unique user experience in more countries around the world.”
“Our compelling products, game-changing charging and battery swapping services, alongside truly innovative and flexible subscription models, will change the landscape of EVs. Our commitment to the region marks the start of NIO’s next chapter in our global development.”
In hindsight, news regarding NIO’s ambitions to create a European manufacturing facility in Hungary to boost its European expansion goals has previously surfaced.
Notably, NIO has already entered Norway and Sweden. However, the OEM has indicated that the brand will come to the UK in 2023, where it has engaged former Volvo Car UK commercial director Matt Galvin.
Co-founder Lihong Qin stated, “There is a very deep connection between NIO and the UK because we had our first strategic and product workshops open in London in 2015.
“We opened our London office on the first day we launched and run our Advanced performance team in Oxford. I want to be in the UK as soon as possible but because of the right-hand steering it has taken us longer.
“Under our current plan we expect to enter the UK market by the end of next year.”
In fact, Geely already has a substantial presence in the European automotive industry with its brands Lotus Cars, the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), and Polestar. It also recently purchased a share in Aston Martin.
Meanwhile, MG Motor UK is the country’s fastest-growing brand. Furthermore, the long-awaited entrance of BYD is also predicted.
Going back, NIO currently has five models on the market, with four more on the way. The EP9 hypercar, the ES8 seven-seater SUV, the ES6 five-seater SUV, the EC6 coupe SUV, the ET7 saloon, and the ET5 small saloon have all already been released.
