Wearnes, known here for its JLR, Volvo and Bentley dealerships is the new home for the Chinese luxury EV brand here

Singapore – There has been speculation for a while that NIO would set up shop in Singapore. In 2022, the Chinese EV brand was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX), under the ticker symbol “NIO”.

Wearnes Automotive, one of the largest auto dealer networks in Singapore officially opened its NIO Space at 28 Leng Kee Road, showcasing the Chinese automaker’s first right-hand drive model, the firefly premium compact electric hatchback.

The firefly, which was first showcased at the Singapore Motor Show earlier this year, is penned by Kris Tomasson, Vice President of President of Design at NIO Design Studio Munich. Tomasson was previously responsible for the exterior design of BMW’s i models, and also has left his fingerprints in Coca-Cola and Gulfstream Aerospace.

Directed at cars like the MINI Aceman and Cooper E, the NIO firefly’s aggressive pricing of $169,999 will likely be its biggest selling point. Unlike larger cars from the brand’s stable, like the NIO ES8, the firefly is not equipped with the brand’s signature swappable battery tech.

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 “The opening of this NIO Space marks the start of Wearnes Automotive’s partnership with NIO in Singapore,” said Mr Andre Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Wearnes Automotive. “As the industry continues to evolve towards electrification and intelligent mobility, we look forward to introducing NIO’s vehicles and technologies to customers here.”