Chinese electric car startup Nio is making inroads into cellphone field, and has hired former president of MeituKiss phone brand Yi Shuijun to lead its mobile phone business team, technology media platform 36Kr quoted several sources on Tuesday.

In response, Nio said it had no information to reveal yet, adding it will let the public know if there is any news.

According to 36Kr, the carmaker has launched the cellphone project in Shenzhen for some time, and it is still recruiting personnel for the team. This was echoed by 36Kr's finding in a recruiting website: Many positions related to the mobile phone business were announced by Nio, including BSP engineers and communication test engineers.

Last year, another Chinese carmaker Geely announced its decision to make mobile phones. Meanwhile, smartphone maker Xiaomi said it will make its own car in the same year, another case in a trend of a large number of cellphone companies diving into the auto sector.

An insider of the car industry said to 36Kr that the account systems of mobile phones and cars will definitely be connected in the future, and so will many product experiences.