Nio has poached more than 300 employees from companies such as Huawei and Oppo, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker aims to launch its first own-brand smartphone next year, local media outlet 36Kr reported on Wednesday. The automaker has also posted openings for engineers working on Android systems, phone applications, and smartwatches, offering candidates salaries at least 10% higher than their previous jobs, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. Earlier this year, Nio reportedly hired Yin Shuijun, former president of the smartphone unit at Chinese mobile internet firm Meitu, to lead its phone business in Shenzhen. [36Kr, in Chinese]