Zhang Hui, vice president of Nio Europe, spoke at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the company’s R&D center in the UK. Credit: Nio
- Nio unveiled a new engineering facility in Witney, Oxfordshire, cementing the status of its earliest overseas R&D base.
- The UK team has become a core pillar of Nio’s overseas engineering system as the company advances its asset-light model and globalization strategy.
Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its UK R&D center, marking a milestone for the Chinese EV manufacturer overseas.
The company held a celebration on June 18 local time in Witney, Oxfordshire, and simultaneously inaugurated its new engineering facility in the UK.
Representatives from the Chinese and UK governments, partners, and media attended the event, which marks a new step in Nio’s overseas engineering footprint, according to a statement on Friday.
As one of Nio’s earliest overseas R&D bases, the UK R&D center plays a key role in the company’s global engineering system. Over the past 10 years, the center has become an important pivot in Nio’s global R&D network.
The UK team has taken part in the development of multiple production vehicles and key technology programs across Nio’s lineup. From the EP9 electric supercar to the ET9 electric executive flagship sedan, UK engineers have been deeply involved throughout, according to Nio.
Over the decade, the team has built expertise in vehicle engineering development, dynamics optimization, and advanced simulation technology. Its strengths also span European homologation and cross-regional R&D collaboration.
Nio said the newly opened engineering facility will further strengthen the company’s capabilities in engineering development and advanced technology validation.
The facility will also bolster collaborative global innovation, providing a stronger foundation for future products and technological breakthroughs, the company said.
The milestone comes at a critical time as Nio accelerates its overseas expansion while carefully controlling costs. The company is gradually shifting its European operations toward a more asset-light model.
Earlier this year, Nio made significant adjustments to its European business. Except for Norway, where EV penetration is extremely high and the direct-sales model is retained, operations in Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden are moving toward a distributor model.
Last week, Nio opened its first local Nio House in Greece, built together with local partner Motodynamics. The store continues the company’s asset-light strategy in Europe.
Meanwhile, Firefly, Nio’s premium compact car brand, plans to enter the UK market in 2026, the brand’s president, Daniel Jin, said in November 2025.
Firefly is ramping up its presence in right-hand-drive markets not subject to punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs. It has already entered Singapore and Thailand, and is on display at the ongoing Hong Kong Auto Show.
Nio said it will firmly pursue its globalization R&D strategy, with plans to deepen cooperation with local companies, universities, and research institutions in the UK and Europe.
By improving its global R&D network and broadening the frontiers of technological innovation, Nio hopes to create a higher-quality smart electric mobility experience for users worldwide, the company said.
Singapore Standard SS 722 includes technical specifications for battery swap and mobile charging for the first time, with Nio as a key contributor.
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