NIO Day 2024: Unveiling the ET9 and the Debut of the Firefly Brand
NIO Day 2024 was held at the iconic Haixinsha Asian Games Park in Guangzhou, marking a decade of innovation and growth for the electric vehicle company. The event, themed “Together & Further,” celebrated NIO’s 10th anniversary with a focus on technological advancements and collaboration with industry pioneers. Over 22,000 users attended, making it the largest NIO Day to date. For the first time, the event extended into a City Experience Day open to the general public, further strengthening NIO’s connection with the community.
The preparation and execution of NIO Day 2024 reflected its inclusive theme. More than 1,150 NIO users and creative contributors played a significant role in its planning. Renowned musician Chang Shilei joined the 2024 NIO Band to compose and perform the event’s theme song, which captured the spirit of shared journeys. Award-winning director Cheng Gong collaborated with NIO to produce the documentary short film “Together & Further,” which showcased the stories of nearly 100 users who have grown alongside the company over the past decade.
Internationally acclaimed illustrator Sua Balac, together with 14 NIO user designers, created a detailed illustration scroll titled “Journey Together,” symbolizing NIO’s evolution with its users, employees, and partners. The event also featured a User Charity Marketplace with over 170 stalls, where proceeds were donated to the Guangzhou Charity Association, embodying the spirit of giving back.
A highlight of the event was the launch of the NIO Smart Electric Executive flagship, the ET9, priced at 788,000 RMB. A limited First Edition of 999 units was also unveiled, priced at 818,000 RMB, with deliveries set to begin in March 2025. The ET9 integrates NIO’s cutting-edge technology, the result of over 53 billion RMB in R&D investment over the past decade. The model boasts 12 full-stack self-developed technologies, including several world-first innovations protected by 1,083 patents. These advancements culminate in nine flagship experiences designed to redefine luxury and functionality in smart electric vehicles.
The ET9’s standout features include its Lightful Welcome system, which uses front and rear headlights to greet users, and a unique light carpet that illuminates the entryway. The Sky Island and Executive Bridge interior design concepts divide the cabin into four private spaces, ensuring comfort and elegance for both business and personal travel. Key elements such as a 582mm ultra-wide seat cushion, full-area heating, and a 16-point hot stone massage system provide passengers with first-class comfort. Additionally, the ET9 includes a versatile executive table that rotates 360 degrees, an integrated smart electric refrigerator, and a secure Smart Safebox, making it a mobile executive suite.
The ET9’s innovative digital architecture, powered by SkyOS, represents a significant leap in smart vehicle systems. SkyOS, the world’s first vehicle-centric full-domain operating system, integrates multiple domains such as vehicle control, intelligent driving, and mobile internet. With high bandwidth, low latency, and advanced AI integration, SkyOS delivers an unparalleled digital experience. This architecture is supported by ultra-high computing power, high-performance data communication, and robust energy management, setting a new benchmark in the smart EV era.
Another technological highlight is the ET9’s SkyRide chassis system, which combines SkyRide Steer-by-Wire, SkyRide Rear-Wheel Steering, and SkyRide Full Active Suspension. This system introduces the world’s first integrated hydraulic fully active suspension, offering unmatched adaptability in stiffness, damping, and height adjustments. The ET9’s Steer-by-Wire technology, certified by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, lays the groundwork for advanced autonomous driving capabilities and represents the future of smart vehicle systems.
NIO also used the event to unveil its third brand, Firefly. Designed for urban lifestyle users, Firefly’s first model was introduced with a pre-order price of 148,000 RMB, and reservations are now open via the Firefly App. Firefly aims to bring NIO’s expertise in premium EVs to a new segment, focusing on design, safety, space, intelligence, and energy efficiency. Its brand ethos, “Freedom to Glow,” emphasizes vibrancy, thoughtfulness, and reliability. The Firefly’s engineering prioritizes safety, meeting both C-NCAP and Euro-NCAP five-star standards. Its structure, comprising 83.4% high-strength steel and aluminum alloys, ensures exceptional durability and passenger protection. The Firefly will launch in China in April 2025, marking a new era for small, high-end smart electric cars.
William Li, NIO’s founder, chairman, and CEO, highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation and collaboration: “The ET9 is the result of NIO’s decade-long investment in R&D and a testament to our journey with global automotive industry innovators. Over the past ten years, we have grown together with our users and partners, continuously bringing high-quality smart electric vehicles to the market. As we move into the next decade, our three brands will work to further popularize smart EVs, accelerate the global transition to electric vehicles, and pursue our mission of Blue Sky Coming.”
With the successful launch of the ET9 and the debut of the Firefly brand, NIO Day 2024 showcased the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and user-centric design. As NIO looks to the future, its dedication to pushing boundaries promises to redefine the global electric vehicle landscape.
