On November 15, 2024, during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, NIO announced its official entry into the Azerbaijani market through a strategic partnership with GreenCar. This collaboration will see NIO offering its smart electric vehicles and related services to local customers.

As the official vehicle brand for VIPs at COP29, NIO provided three of its models — the ES8, ET7, and ES6 — to transport heads of state and dignitaries during the conference.

Expanding Operations in Azerbaijan

According to the agreement, GreenCar will serve as NIO's exclusive distributor in Azerbaijan, operating under a direct-sales model to serve local customers. GreenCar will oversee local operations based on NIO’s global standards, focusing on product offerings, customer service, and community engagement. They will also invest in building charging stations, service centers, and NIO Spaces across the country. Additionally, NIO will grant GreenCar access to its digital platforms, including the official website and mobile app, ensuring a consistent global user experience.

Founded in 2014, GreenCar is a leader in Azerbaijan's green mobility sector, focusing on promoting electric vehicles and sustainable transport solutions. GreenCar also plays a key role in developing the country’s new energy infrastructure. NIO’s co-founder and president, Qin Lihong, said, “Azerbaijan is advancing its green transformation and sustainable development. The future of the new energy vehicle market here is promising. We are excited to actively participate and contribute to the growth of electric vehicles in Azerbaijan. With GreenCar’s deep local expertise and resources, we are confident that this partnership will drive our business growth and provide leading smart electric vehicle products and services to local users.”

GreenCar’s Chief Operating Officer, Rustam Ibrahimov, added, “NIO’s impressive core technologies and innovation in user experience align perfectly with our sustainable vision. We look forward to working together to accelerate the transition to electric mobility in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region.”

NIO’s Global Expansion

Since its inception, NIO has been expanding its global presence, entering the European market in 2021. As of November 2024, NIO has launched six production models — including the EL8 (ES8 in China), ET7, EL7 (ES7 in China), ET5, ET5T, and EL6 (ES6 in China) — across five European countries: Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. The company has established 58 battery swapping stations, connected over 600,000 third-party charging points, and set up eight NIO Centers, 10 NIO Spaces, and 65 service centers in Europe.

In October 2024, NIO announced its plans to expand into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with plans to launch in the UAE by the end of 2024.

The new partnership with GreenCar further solidifies NIO’s global expansion strategy, marking an exciting step forward in its growth in Azerbaijan and beyond.