Unexpected Firefly Becomes a Hit! Boosted by High-Performance Plastics, Key Insights into Automotive Plastics Adoption from the User Perspective

Specialized VisionJanuary 12According to the news, NIO is inEnd of 2024Launched a second sub-brand.The Firefly caused a lot of controversy upon its first appearance. Its design was criticized as a "six-eyed flying fish," and with a starting price of 119,800 yuan, it doesn't offer any advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness compared to competitors. The market generally holds a pessimistic view of its prospects.

However, reality is unexpected; this car has created...“Sales miracleAccording to authoritative platform reports,Anhui NIO General Manager Yu Dongming announced on social media.The car has been delivered.40,000 units delivered。

Source: firefly

Firefly，An underestimated small car becomes a hit.

People often associate it with high cost performance. However, as introduced by William Li, founder and chairman of NIO,"Firefly" is positioned as a smart electric high-end small car brand, with the design philosophy of "agility, ingenuity, trust." Designer Kris Tomasson also stated that both NIO and Firefly are high-end brands, but Firefly has a more unique brand positioning, leaning towards lifestyle.

The length, width, and height of this car are respectively.4003/1781/1557mm, with a wheelbase of 2615mm, featuring the smallest turning radius of 4.7 meters in its class, adopts a visual-assisted driving solution, and is equipped with full-scene automatic parking functionality.

The four-wheel, four-axis design scheme ensures ample interior space and is equipped.The 92L front trunk features layered storage and a built-in drainage function, making it flexible and practical for storage. The vehicle is designed according to the latest China-Europe new car safety evaluation regulations with a double five-star rating, boasting the strongest torsional rigidity in its class. It comes standard with nine airbags and received an excellent rating in the C-NCAP tests, becoming the top-rated small car in the history of C-NCAP, significantly contributing to sales growth.

In terms of power, rear-wheel drive with a single motor layout.105kW, nearly 50:50 front-rear axle load distribution, focusing on handling performance, equipped with a 42.1kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, CLTC range of 420km, integrated into NIO's battery swapping system for convenient energy replenishment.

Analysis of Materials Used in Firefly

From the above text, Firefly Standard Configuration9 airbagsAccording to the latest Euro NCAP double five-star evaluation requirements, the design and development have been carried out with comprehensive reinforcement and upgrading of the vehicle body structure, material strength, and key protection areas of the passenger compartment, utilizing high-performance polycarbonate.This material combines the high strength, high transparency, and good impact resistance of polycarbonate (PC) with the excellent processing performance, toughness, and chemical resistance of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer alloy plastic materials.Unlike other small cars, it features a design with large wheels, adding a dynamic style. The wheel arches and lower body are made of eco-friendly materials, which are both low-carbon and environmentally friendly. The matte black texture contrasts sharply with the car's color, ensuring safety while balancing aesthetics and environmental protection.

On automotive transparent partsThe trio of headlights and taillights are unique signatures. Although the design of the headlights and taillights is the same, the internal materials are complex and varied. Designers need to consider the feasibility of manufacturing and engineering, coordinating the space occupied by the light modules, ensuring that the lighting effects align with the overall design style of the vehicle, and enhancing the vehicle's recognizability.

Image source: Firefly

The minimalist design style is adopted, presenting a modern and sleek overall look. The steering wheel features a unique rounded rectangular shape, conforming to modern aesthetics and offering a comfortable grip. The seats are made from a combination of fabric and leather materials, balancing comfort and durability while enhancing the overall texture within the car, creating a comfortable driving environment for passengers.

High-performance automotive plastics become widespread, achieving breakthroughs in both quality and cost.

In recent years, the competition in the automotive industry has been intense, and major car manufacturers are under tremendous survival pressure, struggling to survive in the market wave.In the first quarter of 2025, NIO faced a heavy blow, recording its worst quarterly loss since going public. NIO Chairman Li Bin helplessly stated, "The first quarter of 2025 has been the most difficult period for NIO in the past three years, hitting rock bottom."

Since its establishment,"Losses" have become a label that NIO finds difficult to shake off. In the past, when liquidity in the capital market was relatively abundant, NIO was able to continuously obtain financial support to maintain operations. However, as competition in the automotive industry intensifies and the market environment becomes increasingly challenging, profitability is no longer just a simple performance metric; it is a critical factor directly related to the survival of the company.

Fortunately, NIO quickly realized the seriousness of the problem and made changes promptly last year.In March, NIO launched an organizational transformation, breaking down all operational tasks into multiple non-overlapping "basic operational units." At the same time, it clarified the return on investment (ROI) and performance reward and penalty systems, aiming to improve operational efficiency through refined management.

Li Bin is well aware of the urgency of transformation and stated directly:"We must change, or we won't survive." According to a report by 36Kr, Li Bin is deeply involved in various aspects of organizational transformation, even participating directly in price negotiations for core components, with meticulous attention to cost control, requiring precision to four decimal places.

To enhance its competitiveness and profitability, NIO has optimized its product matrix. Based on the existing mid-to-high-end business brand,In May 2024, the LeDao brand was launched, targeting the mainstream household market; now the Firefly brand has been released, focusing on the smart car sector to attract young consumers. It is worth mentioning that there is a high degree of commonality between different brands. The Firefly brand has adopted 80% of NIO's software and hardware technology, with only 20% undergoing personalized modifications. This ensures product quality while making the price of high-end small cars more reasonable.

Source: NIO

In the automotive market, small cars are a key area for the application of automotive plastics.For new energy vehicles priced within 100,000 yuan, the interior design focuses more on simplicity and practicality. Due to strict cost control, common plastics have been widely used because of their price advantages.

Wuling HongguangFor example, the interior of MINI extensively uses hard plastics such as PP and ABS. This choice not only meets cost control requirements but also allows for a variety of design options. Moreover, the car's interior environment has been highly praised by consumers for its eco-friendly materials and well-managed odor control, providing a comfortable experience for passengers.

Moreover, due to the heavy weight of batteries, lightweight body design has become an important trend in new energy vehicles. Plastic materials, known for their light weight, high strength, and ease of processing, have become the preferred materials for achieving lightweight bodies. Furthermore, the application of plastic materials is not limited to interiors. Some high-end models, such asModel X uses composite materials made from steel and engineering plastics (such as PA6 + GF50 nylon/glass fiber composites) to manufacture chassis components like suspension or control arms. These composite materials are superior to pure metal components in terms of strength and rigidity, effectively ensuring the vehicle's safety and stability.

Epilogue:

High-performance automotive plasticsThe application on models such as the Firefly has achieved a dual breakthrough in quality and cost. For car manufacturers, it reduces production costs and enhances product competitiveness; for consumers, it provides a better driving experience at a reasonable price.

With the continuous advancement of technology, high-performance automotive plastics are expected to be widely used in more vehicle models, promoting the automotive industry towards a more environmentally friendly, efficient, and high-quality direction. In the future, we have reason to expect more like this.The Firefly emerged as a model that achieved a turnaround through innovative material applications, bringing new vitality and transformation to the automotive market.