Chinese electric vehicle startup NIO is planning to make a foray into mobile phone segment, according to a user on Twitter-like Weibo. The project, which is said at the initial phase, is hiring and the workplace is in Shenzhen.

Photo credit: NIO

Probably, the Chinese company will not label the phone with other companies producing, but design and manufacture itself, the user added. The phone will have various features that can interact with NIO vehicles, such as transferring files between vehicles and mobile phones, AR and VR projection, NOMI voice assistant on the phone.

Another Weibo user revealed earlier that NIO is increasing its investment in the mobile phone business and expects to add another 200 R&D posts in the near future. NIO said that there was nothing to be disclosed at the moment.

NIO will not be the first automobile company which has business in the mobile phone segment. In September, 2021, Geely’s founder, Li Shufu, officially announced his entry to the smartphone industry and signed a strategic agreement with Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone.

Li Shufu once said that the phone business will be of great significance to Geely Auto. Better development of mobile phone technology will enhance the improvement of in-vehicle user experience, thus strengthening the competitiveness of intelligent electric vehicles.