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Middle East Eye
14-07-2025
- Middle East Eye
Israeli weapons firm Rafael uses Gaza killing in marketing campaign
Israeli state-owned weapons company Rafael released a promotional video showing its drone system, Spike Firefly, tracking and killing a person in Gaza. The video, posted across the company's social media platforms, shows the miniature kamikaze drone hovering over a rubble strewn neighbourhood in the Palestinian enclave, identifying somebody walking down the street and then targeting them. The post is titled "Spike Firefly in urban warfare" and is accompanied by dramatic, miltary-style music. According to the on-screen titles, the drone "identifies the target," "tracks it," "and neutralises the threat". The video shows the Firefly silently hovering before diving after the person, who sees the drone and runs for cover. There is then an explosion, which "neutralises the threat". New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters It is unclear whether the targeted individual is a Palestinian fighter or not. They do not appear to be armed. They are walking along the road alone and do not appear to be posing a threat to anyone. Open-source analyst Anno Nemo geolocated the footage in Rafael's post to the al-Tawam area of northern Gaza. "Based on 2 Google Earth satellite images the video appears to have been taken between 4 June 2024 and 1 December 2024," Anno Nemo said, adding that possible changes are visible in the area on Sentinel satellite imagery from November 2024. "We mark two years since SPIKE FIREFLY was first operationally deployed - ushering in a new era of precision for the tactical fighting forces," Rafael said in a post accompanying the video on its X account. "Tested. Trusted. Tactical." SPIKE FIREFLY: Proven Precision, Redefining the Tactical Edge We mark two years since SPIKE FIREFLY was first operationally deployed-ushering in a new era of precision for the tactical fighting forces. Since that first use, FIREFLY has proven itself in some of the most… — Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) July 7, 2025 "FIREFLY has proven itself in some of the most challenging environments - delivering pinpoint strikes with minimal collateral damage, even in GPS jamming environments and under adverse weather conditions," the weapons company said on Facebook. The Rafael drone was designed to be used by ground forces in dense urban areas where "situational awareness is limited, the enemy is fighting from behind cover and the effectiveness of fire support elements is reduced by the close proximity of non-combatants". None of those conditions appear to apply to the video posted by Rafael. The drone is designed to be controlled in real time by a single soldier. Middle East Eye reached out to Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, which is owned by the Israeli state, for comment on the video but did not receive a response by time of publication. Israeli weapons marketing Israel has sold defence equipment to at least 130 countries and is now the eighth biggest arms exporter in the world. Israeli companies have marketed technology and weapons used on the Palestinian populations of the occupied West Bank and Gaza as "battlefield tested", a tactic that can be seen in Rafael's video. Rafael was founded in 1948 along with the state of Israel as the Science Corps. It is now probably best known for developing Iron Dome, the Israeli integrated air defence system, and for its guided missiles. The weapons company also has a history of unusual marketing. In 2009, Rafael released a Bollywood-style music video to advertise its weapons in India. The video features a man in a leather jacket and sunglasses representing Israel and a woman dressed in an embroidered sari representing India. The two characters sing to each other as a group of Indian women dance around them. "I need to feel safe and sheltered, security and protection," the Indian woman sings. "I believe in you," she sings, "You believe in me," the man representing Israel sings back. "Together, forever, we will always be," they sing in chorus. Ronny Dana, who photographed the advert and posted it to their YouTube page, said that "despite the controversy it had in Israel, the film was very successful and contributed to several billion-dollar contracts". 'War crime' In 2024, Rafael recorded sales of $4.8bn, a 27 percent increase on its figures from the year before. The company said that "approximately half" of these sales were to "international customers," 20 of which are Nato countries. Rafael is the largest employer in northern Israel and has ten offices outside Israel, including in the UK, US, UAE and India. An Indian government adviser, who asked for anonymity to comment on a sensitive matter, described the Firefly's targeting of the man in the Gaza video as a "war crime". How Israel tested, packaged & exported its occupation Read More » "Yes it is an apparent war crime: killing what seems like an unarmed person, walking in the street and not engaged in a military activity," Nimer Sultany, a Palestinian reader in public law at SOAS University in London, told MEE. Article three of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that: "Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces… shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction." The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defines "intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities" as a war crime. "In this case, these killings are taking part of a genocide. So they are genocidal killings," Sultany said. During Israel's war on Gaza, the Israeli military has used Rafael Spike Guided Missiles extensively to target people inside buildings from the air and ground. The Orbiter 4, a drone developed by Rafael subsidiary Aeronautics, was used operationally for the first time in Gaza on 8 November 2023. In March, Rafael Systems Global Sustainment, a US subsidiary of the Israeli firm, announced that it had signed a cooperation agreement with the US army to closely develop the Spike family of missiles, including 'future enhancements and Americanization' of the munitions.
Associated Press
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
NIO Inc. Provides June and Second Quarter 2025 Delivery Update
SHANGHAI, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO; HKEX: 9866; SGX: NIO) ('NIO' or the 'Company'), a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market, today announced its June and second quarter 2025 delivery results. The Company delivered 24,925 vehicles in June 2025, representing an increase of 17.5% year-over-year. The deliveries consisted of 14,593 vehicles from the Company's premium smart electric vehicle brand NIO, 6,400 vehicles from the Company's family-oriented smart electric vehicle brand ONVO, and 3,932 vehicles from the Company's small smart high-end electric car brand FIREFLY. The Company delivered 72,056 vehicles in the second quarter of 2025, representing an increase of 25.6% year-over-year. Cumulative deliveries reached 785,714 as of June 30, 2025. NIO's products have been highly recognized in the 2025 J.D. Power studies. The ET5 and ET5T ranked first among mid-size battery electric sedans in the China NEV-IQS study, while the EC6 claimed the top spot in the premium BEV segment in the China NEV-APEAL study. With superior product quality and exceptional user satisfaction, NIO has secured first place in its segment in J.D. Power's quality research for seven consecutive years since 2019. About NIO Inc. NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of 'Blue Sky Coming'. NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth. NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, family-oriented smart electric vehicles through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute 'forward-looking' statements pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as 'will,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'aims,' 'future,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'likely to' and similar statements. NIO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), in its annual report to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the websites of each of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the 'SEHK') and the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the 'SGX-ST'), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about NIO's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: NIO's strategies; NIO's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; NIO's ability to develop and manufacture vehicles of sufficient quality and appeal to customers on schedule and on a large scale; its ability to ensure and expand manufacturing capacities including establishing and maintaining partnerships with third parties; its ability to provide convenient and comprehensive power solutions to its customers; the viability, growth potential and prospects of the battery swapping, BaaS, and NIO Assisted and Intelligent Driving and its subscription services; its ability to improve the technologies or develop alternative technologies in meeting evolving market demand and industry development; NIO's ability to satisfy the mandated safety standards relating to motor vehicles; its ability to secure supply of raw materials or other components used in its vehicles; its ability to secure sufficient reservations and sales of its vehicles; its ability to control costs associated with its operations; its ability to build its current and future brands; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in NIO's filings with the SEC and the announcements and filings on the websites of each of the SEHK and SGX-ST. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and NIO does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. For more information, please visit: Investor Relations [email protected] Media Relations [email protected]
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NIO Expects Y/Y Rise in Q2 Deliveries: What are the Growth Agents?
NIO Inc. NIO introduced upgraded versions of four key models, the EC6, ES6, ET5, and ET5T, at the end of May and has recently started deliveries of all four. These models are expected to see their first full month of deliveries in June. On the strength of these new launches, NIO anticipates a year-over-year rise in both June and second-quarter deliveries. The company expects June deliveries in the range of 25,000 and 28,000 units, up from 21,209 units in the same month last year. For the second quarter, NIO expects to deliver between 72,000 and 75,000 vehicles, indicating a 25.5% to 30.7% year-over-year the first quarter of 2025, NIO delivered a total of 42,094 smart EVs, representing a 40.1% year-over-year increase. The deliveries include 27,313 units under the NIO brand and 14,781 from ONVO. Since the beginning of the second quarter, deliveries have gained momentum, driven by the initial rollout of the ET9 and FIREFLY models as well as strong demand for the ONVO L60. FIREFLY is a smart electric high-end small car brand for which deliveries started in late April. NIO carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks local competitors, Li Auto Inc. LI & XPeng Inc. XPEV, also expect year-over-year growth in second quarter deliveries. Li Auto expects its vehicle deliveries for the second quarter of 2025 to range between 123,000 and 128,000 units, indicating year-over-year growth of 13.3% to 17.9%. In the first quarter of 2025, the company delivered 92,864 units, up 15.5% compared to the same period last year. Over the past month, Li Auto has completed a full upgrade of its entire vehicle lineup, introducing updated versions across all expects to deliver around 102,000 and 108,000 vehicles in the second quarter of 2025, indicating year-over-year growth of approximately 237.7% to 257.5%. In the first quarter, XPeng delivered 94,008 units, up 330.8% from 21,821 vehicles delivered during the same period in 2024. NIO has underperformed the Zacks Automotive-Domestic industry year to date. NIO shares have lost 30.1% compared to the industry's growth of 4.1%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation perspective, NIO appears overvalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 0.81, higher than its industry's 0.50. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 EPS has moved up 5 cents and declined by a penny, respectively, in the past seven days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report NIO Inc. (NIO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Li Auto Inc. Sponsored ADR (LI) : Free Stock Analysis Report XPeng Inc. Sponsored ADR (XPEV) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Associated Press
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
NIO Inc. Provides May 2025 Delivery Update
SHANGHAI, June 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO; HKEX: 9866; SGX: NIO) ('NIO' or the 'Company'), a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market, today announced its May 2025 delivery results. The Company delivered 23,231 vehicles in May 2025, representing an increase of 13.1% year-over-year. The deliveries consisted of 13,270 vehicles from the Company's premium smart electric vehicle brand NIO, 6,281 vehicles from the Company's family-oriented smart electric vehicle brand ONVO, and 3,680 vehicles from the Company's small smart high-end electric car brand FIREFLY. Cumulative deliveries reached 760,789 as of May 31, 2025. About NIO Inc. NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of 'Blue Sky Coming'. NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth. NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, family-oriented smart electric vehicles through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute 'forward-looking' statements pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as 'will,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'aims,' 'future,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'likely to' and similar statements. NIO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), in its annual report to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the websites of each of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the 'SEHK') and the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the 'SGX-ST'), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about NIO's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: NIO's strategies; NIO's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; NIO's ability to develop and manufacture vehicles of sufficient quality and appeal to customers on schedule and on a large scale; its ability to ensure and expand manufacturing capacities including establishing and maintaining partnerships with third parties; its ability to provide convenient and comprehensive power solutions to its customers; the viability, growth potential and prospects of the battery swapping, BaaS, and NIO Assisted and Intelligent Driving and its subscription services; its ability to improve the technologies or develop alternative technologies in meeting evolving market demand and industry development; NIO's ability to satisfy the mandated safety standards relating to motor vehicles; its ability to secure supply of raw materials or other components used in its vehicles; its ability to secure sufficient reservations and sales of its vehicles; its ability to control costs associated with its operations; its ability to build its current and future brands; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in NIO's filings with the SEC and the announcements and filings on the websites of each of the SEHK and SGX-ST. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and NIO does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. For more information, please visit: Investor Relations [email protected] Media Relations [email protected]
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NIO Inc. Provides May 2025 Delivery Update
23,231 vehicles were delivered in May 2025, increasing by 13.1% year-over-year 89,225 vehicles were delivered year-to-date in 2025, increasing by 34.7% year-over-year Cumulative deliveries reached 760,789 as of May 31, 2025 SHANGHAI, June 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO; HKEX: 9866; SGX: NIO) ('NIO' or the 'Company'), a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market, today announced its May 2025 delivery results. The Company delivered 23,231 vehicles in May 2025, representing an increase of 13.1% year-over-year. The deliveries consisted of 13,270 vehicles from the Company's premium smart electric vehicle brand NIO, 6,281 vehicles from the Company's family-oriented smart electric vehicle brand ONVO, and 3,680 vehicles from the Company's small smart high-end electric car brand FIREFLY. Cumulative deliveries reached 760,789 as of May 31, 2025. About NIO Inc. NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of 'Blue Sky Coming'. NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth. NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, family-oriented smart electric vehicles through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements that may constitute 'forward-looking' statements pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as 'will,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'aims,' 'future,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'likely to' and similar statements. NIO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), in its annual report to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the websites of each of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the 'SEHK') and the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the 'SGX-ST'), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about NIO's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: NIO's strategies; NIO's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; NIO's ability to develop and manufacture vehicles of sufficient quality and appeal to customers on schedule and on a large scale; its ability to ensure and expand manufacturing capacities including establishing and maintaining partnerships with third parties; its ability to provide convenient and comprehensive power solutions to its customers; the viability, growth potential and prospects of the battery swapping, BaaS, and NIO Assisted and Intelligent Driving and its subscription services; its ability to improve the technologies or develop alternative technologies in meeting evolving market demand and industry development; NIO's ability to satisfy the mandated safety standards relating to motor vehicles; its ability to secure supply of raw materials or other components used in its vehicles; its ability to secure sufficient reservations and sales of its vehicles; its ability to control costs associated with its operations; its ability to build its current and future brands; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in NIO's filings with the SEC and the announcements and filings on the websites of each of the SEHK and SGX-ST. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and NIO does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. For more information, please visit: Investor Relationsir@ Media in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
