Chinese electric automaker NIO has finally confirmed its plans to launch its new sub-brand under the official name “Onvo” after spy shots emerged to reveal the previously confidential information. According to Electrive, the sub-brand’s inaugural offering will be the “Onvo L60.“
Alps to arrive as “Onvo” brand
NIO initially hinted at the arrival of the new sub-brand under the “Alps” codename. In a significant turn of events, recent spy shots prompted the Chinese electric vehicle startup to confirm that the Alps will arrive as the Ledao (乐道) in Chinese or Onvo in English.
NIO aims to hone Onvo’s electric vehicles to meet the preferences of prospective buyers with families, starting with the L60 electric crossover.
Onvo’s first offering
NIO Chief Executive William Li announced during the Q4 2023 report that the company will officially launch the then-called Alps in Q2 2024, starting with an electric crossover (codenamed DOM) to challenge the popular Tesla Model Y.
Camouflaged photos of the DOM e-crossover started to emerge online then, featuring a design very comparable to Tesla’s all-electric SUV. Last week, local media reports released DOM’s non-camouflaged images with its official brand and model name, Onvo L60.
As you can see in the spy shots, the upcoming Onvo L6 has two HD cameras on the windshield’s sides. CEO Li previously asserted that the new L60 would be 10% cheaper than the Tesla Model Y. Nonetheless, it will reportedly come with distinctive features like large sofas, a TV, or a refrigerator.
The upcoming Onvo L6 will reportedly ride on the new NT3 platform and offer NIO’s battery-swapping capability. However, the Chinese automaker has yet to reveal its powertrain and other key specifications.
NIO plans to launch 2 sub-brands
The new Onvo sub-brand is a crucial part of NIO’s strategy to launch two electric vehicle sub-brands to meet the varying demands of different market segments.
NIO originally only revealed the two sub-brand codenames, the Alps and the Firefly. Apls received more media coverage since NIO already confirmed plans to launch it sooner than the Firefly sub-brand.
For context, NIO aims to formally introduce the new sub-brand to the market in May 2024. The Onvo L60 will officially become available for sale in Q3 2024, while deliveries will commence in Q4 2024. Meanwhile, the lower-cost Firely is expected to hit the Chinese and European markets in the following year.
Onvo aims to hit the 200,000 – 300,000 yuan ($27,800 – $41,700) price range to focus on the mass market segment, sitting just below NIO-branded EVs.
