Chinese battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufacturer Nio Inc has entered the Thai market with the launch of a new compact vehicle under its recently established life-style brand Firefly, as the company continues its push into overseas markets.

Nio joins a growing number of Chinese brands targeting Thailand’s fast-growing BEV market, after it entered into a partnership with local importer and distributor Thonburi Blue Sky, part of the Thonburi Group which also assembles and distributes Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

The two partners hosted a launch event in Bangkok for the rear-wheel-drive smart city car, which is designed to be maneuverable in congested urban environments thanks to its tight turning radius.

Thonburi Group’s chairman, Ratapon Viriyaphant, said that with its partnership with Nio it aims to set the foundations for strong sustainable growth, by combining his company’s extensive experience in the Thai vehicle market with Nio's future-focused ecosystem and global vision.

Thailand is the second market in Southeast Asia for the Firefly brand, following its recent launch in Singapore.