We knew the interest of tech companies in electric vehicles: Google and the Chinese Baidu began researching autonomous driving very early on; Apple and Xiaomi are working on electric vehicle projects and the large Chinese telecoms group Huawei is already selling them through a joint venture, Aito.
Today, it is car manufacturers who are starting to sell smartphones. After Geely, in 2022, the electric vehicle specialist Nio unveiled its first smartphone on Thursday September 21. Objective for the firm: to convince half of its car buyers to equip themselves with a smartphone from the brand, which promises a smoother experience. Limited potential, since Nio only sold 364,579 copies between its founding in 2014 and July 31, 2023.
If the ultra-connected car of the future is a “smartphone on wheels”the border between the mobile phone industry and the mobility industry is set to blur. “We make this phone especially for Nio car ownersdeclared William Li, co-founder and CEO of the manufacturer, during a launch ceremony in Shanghai on Thursday. We hope that a better smart mobility experience will be created to entertain our customers. » In 2022, Geely, another Chinese manufacturer, had bought the Meizu smartphone brand, and should offer a first smartphone branded Polestar, one of its premium vehicle brands bought by Geely, which also owns Volvo.
Cautious investors
Nio, which readily presents itself as a Chinese competitor to Tesla, sells this premium device between 6,499 yuan and 7,499 yuan (from 836 euros to 965 euros), whose design mixing curves and subtle angles is reminiscent of its cars. According to the company, its smartphone offers around thirty features specific to its cars, to unlock the vehicle, even when the phone is out of battery, launch an automatic slot or easily make a video call from the screen of the smartphone to that of the car.
In addition to the design of its imposing urban 4 × 4s, Nio has made itself known thanks to its service that meets the expectations of customers, whom the company brings together in loyal clubs by offering them advantages and products, such as alcohols labeled Nio. The smartphone will be one more way for fans of the brand to show their sense of belonging.
You have 20.08% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.