Nio's mass-market sub-brand, code-named Alps, will start pilot production of its first model next month, bringing it closer to mass production.

Alps' first model will complete the prototyping process and enter the production line for pilot production in mid-November.

The model, internally codenamed DOM, will be the first model under the Nio umbrella based on the next-generation platform NT 3.0.

The Alps model, which will go on sale in the second half of 2024, will be built on production lines shared with Nio models, according to the report.

The Alps' first product began prototyping process in September, and the plan is now to complete it by mid-November and move on to the next stage, the report said, citing a source close to Nio's manufacturing system.

The NT 3.0 platform will see a number of upgrades over Nio's current NT 2.0-based models, including the adoption of the currently popular 800-volt high-voltage architecture, which will result in a more efficient charging experience.

In addition, the first NT 3.0 platform-based model from the Nio main brand will follow Alps' DOM model into pilot production.

Nio launched the new EC6 on September 15, completing the transition from all NT 1.0 platform-based models to the NT 2.0 platform. The company is currently selling eight models based on the NT 2.0 platform.

The Nio brand's first model based on the NT 3.0 platform is currently in the validation build (VB) phase of the prototype and is expected to enter the tooling trial (TT) phase in December, according to AutoPix.