Chinese electric carmaker NIO is expanding its global presence by expanding its operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a strategic partnership backed by the Abu Dhabi government. The company has unveiled the official website and social media pages for its new UAE business unit, revealing who will head it.
NIO ($NIO) is no stranger to coverage here at Electrek, and today is no exception. Since its founding a decade ago, the Chinese EV automaker has made a name for itself in its field by continuously innovating to deliver top-tier BEV models.
Other expansions include NIO’s battery swap network, which has not only proven effective in China but is preferred by many drivers over waiting at charging stations. The automaker also recently unveiled its second generation NIO-branded smartphone.
In the EV field, NIO is expanding into Europe and has a current driver network of approximately 557,000, of which 107,000 will be new users in 2024 alone. In 2023, NIO announced a strategic partnership with CYVN Holdings, a Middle Eastern investment company backed by the Abu Dhabi government.
CYVN Holdings is now NIO’s largest shareholder after two previous investments in the automaker. The UAE-based company aims to help expand the market at an international level. During an earnings call on June 6, NIO founder, chairman and CEO William Li said preparations are already underway to launch operations in the UAE this year.
NIO UAE’s online presence has recently emerged, preparing the way for the proposed market expansion.
NIO publishes letters from founders and new GM of UAE
NIO recently unveiled its official business page and a new account for X, both dedicated to the UAE. First posted on August 16th “Hello UAE. We are NIO,” the message read. A NIO spokesperson confirmed to CnEVPost that the account is legitimate and is being managed by the new NIO UAE business.
NIO’s UAE website is up and running but doesn’t offer many details about what its initial market entry will entail, except for a letter from William Li and new UAE general manager Roberto Lopez da Silva, which reads:
We are eager to collaborate with local partners to usher in a new era of smart electric vehicles. With cutting-edge, full-stack technology, we are confident that our vehicles will exceed the high standards expected by UAE users. We are committed to fostering a growing community in the UAE and building a strong network to provide the best possible experience for NIO users.
We are excited to work with you to shape a brighter, more sustainable future.
NIO is inviting contacts from anyone interested in the BEV in the UAE ahead of its official market launch scheduled for later this year, and we’ll report on this developing news as soon as we have more details, including which models will be sold overseas and whether battery swaps will be included.
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