Category: Nio

NIO’s new ES6 launch event to begin at 7:00 pm Beijing time on May 24

Show cars of the new ES6 are already available at stores, and those interested can visit NIO Houses to check out the model, NIO said.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

NIO (NYSE: NIO) announced earlier this week that the new ES6 would be officially launched on May 24, but no specific time was announced, and now they've been known.

The launch of the new ES6 will begin at 7:00 pm Beijing time on May 24 (7:00 am US Eastern time on May 24), and viewers will be able to watch a live video stream on channels including the NIO App, NIO.com and NIO Weibo, the electric vehicle (EV) maker announced today.

The new ES6 show cars are already available in NIO stores, and those interested can visit NIO Houses to check out the model, NIO said.

Of note for China EV trio watchers, (NYSE: XPEV) will report its first-quarter financial results on May 24 before the US markets open, with its earnings call starting at 8:00 pm Beijing time that day.

NIO announced on May 16 that the new ES6 will be officially launched on May 24, test drives will be available on the same day and deliveries will begin on May 25.

This will be NIO's fastest model from official launch to delivery, as its local peers, including (NASDAQ: LI), have proven that efficient delivery is critical to success in the highly competitive Chinese EV market.

NIO launched the first-generation ES6 in December 2018 and began delivering the model in China in June 2019.

From 2019 to 2021, NIO delivered 155,722 vehicles, of which the ES6 contributed 80,852, or 52 percent, data monitored by CnEVPost shows.

Available data for 2022 show that from January to August, the ES6 delivered 32,877 units, contributing 46 percent of NIO's total deliveries of 71,556 units for the period.

NIO pins high hopes on new ES6 with unprecedented delivery efficiency and marketing campaign

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NIO invests in nuclear fusion startup Neo Fusion

has acquired a 19.9 percent stake in Neo Fusion and NIO Capital has acquired a 10.1 percent stake.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

NIO (NYSE: NIO) has invested in a new nuclear fusion startup, its second such investment in the past year or so.

The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker has invested in nuclear fusion startup Neo Fusion and told CnEVPost that the project will be funded by multiple parties, including NIO and NIO Capital, in phases, and that it plans to attract additional strategic and financial investors to support the project's long-term development.

The investment was first reported by Reuters earlier today. NIO invested RMB 995 million ($142 million) for a 19.9 percent stake, while NIO Capital, an investment firm founded by its founder, chairman and CEO William Li, invested RMB 505 million for a 10.1 percent stake, according to the report.

The newly formed Neo Fusion will research and develop technologies aimed at making controlled fusion available for global commercial use within 20 years, the report noted.

Neo Fusion has a registered capital of 5 billion yuan and is 50 percent controlled by China's eastern province of Anhui government-owned energy companies and investment arms, according to the report.

"Fusion power is a clean and efficient energy source, and also potentially one of the ultimate clean energy solutions to sustainability, making fusion power strategically significant to carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, as well as solving the global energy crisis," NIO said in a statement sent to CnEVPost.

Staying true to the original aspiration of Blue Sky Coming, NIO aims to facilitate the R&D and commercialization of nuclear fusion technology by making financial investment into this project, so that it can play a bigger part in realizing long-term suitability and enhance its influence industry-wide, the statement said.

Notably, NIO Capital had invested in a company engaged in a similar business a year earlier.

On February 25, 2022, Energy Singularity, a startup researching nuclear fusion technology, announced the closing of a nearly RMB 400 million round of funding, its first since founding in 2021.

NIO Capital and local gaming giant miHoYo were co-leaders in the funding, with Sequoia China Seed Fund and Bluerun Ventures participating in the financing.

The funds will be used primarily to develop and build the world's first small-scale tokamak experimental device based on high-temperature superconducting materials, and to develop advanced magnet systems that can be used in the next generation of high-performance fusion devices.

($1 = RMB 7.0217)

NIO Capital invests in nuclear fusion technology startup

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NIO signs deal with Autoliv, world’s largest maker of airbags and seat belts

and Autoliv are working together to develop a new airbag concept that provides comprehensive protection for different seating positions.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

NIO (NYSE: NIO) has entered into a partnership agreement with Autoliv Inc, the world's largest manufacturer of airbags and seat belts, as the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker continues to expand its partnerships.

Autoliv China, a subsidiary of Autoliv, signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with NIO that includes several new safety technologies for EVs, according to a press release from the Swedish company.

NIO and Autoliv will develop safety products for EVs and sustainable technologies, which will include a passenger airbag that deploys from the headliner using an environmentally friendly inflator.

The two are also co-developing a new airbag concept that provides full protection for different seating positions, according to the press release.

This could provide better protection and offer more freedom in the design of vehicle interiors, Autoliv said, adding that it also includes biology-based materials for both airbag cushions and seatbelt webbing.

"We have a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, and we expect the cooperation will be extended to more areas, as we strive to enhance the driving experience and provide pleasant journeys for all global users", said Yu Pan, vice president of supply chain development at NIO.

This is the latest collaboration between NIO and auto parts suppliers.

On May 2, Dutch-headquartered computer chip maker NXP Semiconductors announced that NIO will use its 4D imaging radar solution, which offers benefits far beyond those of conventional radar.

4D imaging radar will significantly improve the performance of front-facing radar in today's vehicles, and NXP's imaging radar technology extends the functionality of radar from measuring range and speed to include direction, angle of arrival and altitude measurements, the chipmaker said.

NIO delivered 6,658 vehicles in April, up 31.22 percent from 5,074 a year ago, but down 35.85 percent from 10,378 in March, as its product switch continues.

The EV maker is now marketing the new ES6 with unprecedented intensity, with the model set to be officially launched on May 24 and deliveries to begin on May 25.

NIO pins high hopes on new ES6 with unprecedented delivery efficiency and marketing campaign

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NIO pins high hopes on new ES6 with unprecedented delivery efficiency and marketing campaign

The new ES6 will be 's fastest model from official launch to delivery, and the company is marketing the model with unprecedented intensity.  |  NIO US | NIO HK | NIO SG

NIO's (NYSE: NIO) previous operational issues not only cost some models' potential orders from the initial hype, but also left many supporters disappointed.

Now, the upcoming new ES6 is key to turning its image around, and the company can't afford to face similar failures.

NIO made the new ES6 debut on April 18, but no pricing information was announced at that time.

On May 16, the company announced that the new ES6 will be officially launched on May 24, with test drives available on the same day and deliveries to begin on May 25.

This will be NIO's fastest model from official launch to delivery, as its local peers, including (NASDAQ: LI), have proven that efficient delivery is critical to success in the highly competitive Chinese EV market.

Although the new ES6 is still days away from its official launch, NIO appears to have already produced thousands of the model so that initial order holders can get their hands on the vehicle on the first day of delivery.

On Chinese social media, images of the new ES6 being shipped to various cities have started to appear in the past two days.

Here are images shared on Weibo today by longtime NIO follower @肉肉爸比ev, saying that these ES6s were photographed in a service area in Guangzhou.

(Image credit: @肉肉爸比ev)

Yesterday, another auto blogger Wu Ying shared several similar pictures, saying that NIO has been shipping the new ES6 out of its Hefei factory since May 17.

(Image credit: @吴颖碎碎念)

While improving delivery efficiency, NIO is also marketing the new ES6 with unprecedented intensity.

Since May 5, NIO has released four marketing videos about the ES6 with the theme "Life Is On" to introduce the model's performance, interior, space, and assisted driving package to potential consumers.

Here is the fourth episode of the series released by NIO today.

 

The new ES6 has taken up most of the space on the recommended section of the NIO App's home page, and NIO has also opened a special showcase page for the model.

In addition to NIO's own channels, other channels are also ready to market the new ES6.

The company invited local journalists and influencers to Beijing earlier this week to take test drives for the new ES6.

After these test drives are allowed to be published, mainstream Chinese social media platforms are expected to be filled with content about the new ES6.

The unprecedented preparation for the new ES6 underscores the model's strategic importance to NIO.

NIO launched the first generation ES6 in December 2018 and began deliveries of the model in China in June 2019.

In 2019, NIO delivered 20,565 vehicles, including 9,132 ES8s and 11,433 ES6s, with the ES6 contributing 55.59 percent, according to data monitored by CnEVPost.

In 2020, the company delivered 43,728 vehicles, including 10,861 ES8s, 27,945 ES6s and 4,922 EC6s, with a 63.9 percent contribution from the ES6.

In 2021, NIO delivered 91,429 vehicles, including 20,050 ES8s, 41,474 ES6s and 29,905 EC6s, with a 45.36 percent contribution from the ES6.

Available data for 2022 show that from January to August, 32,877 ES6 units were delivered, contributing 46 percent of NIO's total deliveries of 71,556 units during this period.

NIO to officially launch new ES6 on May 24, delivery to start next day

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NIO applies for trademarks related to Firefly in China

The Firefly is 's smaller model project that is expected to debut in Europe in the third quarter of 2024, company executives previously said.  |  NIO US | NIO HK | NIO SG

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

NIO (NYSE: NIO) appears to be continuing to move forward with work related to its third sub-brand, though it is currently focused on the launch of the new ES6.

The electric vehicle (EV) maker filed applications for six Firefly-related trademarks in China on May 12, information from data provider Tianyancha shows.

The six trademarks are included in two classifications, construction and scientific instruments, including different combinations of NIO and Firefly, and appear to be primarily aimed at trademark protection.

Two of these trademarks are identical but belong to different classifications.

NIO management has previously said on several occasions that the company is creating two sub-brands codenamed ALPS as well as Firefly to target a broader mass market.

It is worth noting that both ALPS and Firefly are project code names for NIO's sub-brands, and not necessarily the final brand names.

On January 26, NIO co-founder and president Qin Lihong said at a face-to-face communication event with owners that NIO is preparing a model for the sub-brand codenamed ALPS, which is expected to start delivery within 2024.

The Firefly project is also being planned and will be delivered first to European consumers, Qin said at the time.

The smaller model of NIO is in development and will debut in Europe and is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2024, according to Qin.

William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of NIO, was quoted in German magazine Der Spiegel on April 29 as saying the company aims to capture Volkswagen's market share by introducing a model to the European market priced below 30,000 euros ($32,310).

"Yes, in terms of price that means we are also attacking Volkswagen more strongly than before," Der Spiegel quoted Li as saying, without providing further details.

On February 21, local media Cailian reported that NIO's fourth vehicle assembly plant will be located in Chuzhou, Anhui province, and will produce Firefly models.

NIO's vehicles are currently produced in two assembly plants located in Hefei, Anhui.

The Firefly model will be sold first in Europe, targeting the Volkswagen POLO market, Cailian said, citing an insider, adding that, like NIO's other products, they will support battery swap and battery leasing.

Compared to the main NIO brand and the ALPS project, the Firefly models will have weaker smart driving features, but they will still have a clear smart advantage over the European carmaker's offerings, the insider said.

NIO is preparing for the launch of the new ES6 in China, which will go on sale on May 24 and deliveries will begin on May 25.

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NIO plans to launch EV priced below 30,000 euros in Europe, report says

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NIO offers interior upgrades for 2022 ET7, brings new wireless phone charging panel

The upgrade will be available starting May 31 and will cost owners RMB 1,980.  |  US | NIO HK | NIO SG

( 2022 NIO ET7 interior. Image credit: CnEVPost)

NIO (NYSE: NIO) launched the 2023 ET7 sedan a month ago, bringing more than 15 upgrades. Now the company is offering an upgrade program for the 2022 ET7 as well.

NIO today announced the rollout of a center module upgrade for the 2022 ET7, bringing improvements including a 40W air-cooled, wireless charging panel and upgraded center buttons.

(Image credit: NIO)

The upgrade will be available on May 31 at 10:00 am Beijing Time and will cost owners RMB 1,980 ($282). NIO will allow owners to pay up to RMB 1,000 with their NIO App credits.

Owners of the 2022 ET7 can reserve the upgrade by paying RMB 1,000 as a deposit on the NIO App after 10 am on May 31.

NIO will initially offer only 500 upgrade slots, and the time required to complete the upgrade is one day.

The installation will start in early June and will not affect any other rights of users.

The ET7, NIO's flagship sedan, was originally launched at the NIO Day 2020 event on January 9, 2021, with deliveries beginning on March 28, 2022.

On the first day of the Shanghai auto show on April 18, NIO launched the 2023 ET7, bringing more than 15 upgrades, including improved seats and a 40w wireless charging panel for cell phones. The model's starting price remains unchanged at RMB 458,000.

With a more comfortable ride, more refined interior and a smarter experience, the improved ET7 continues to lead the direction of change for high-end smart electric mid to large-size sedans, William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of NIO, said at the time.

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NIO asks its community for advice on pricing of new ES6

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China NEV insurance registrations for week ending May 14: BYD 46,892, Tesla 9,990, NIO 1,200

NIO's sales appear to continue to be dampened by the upcoming new ES6, as potential consumers may be waiting for this more cost-effective SUV.

The main channels that previously shared weekly auto insurance registrations in China stopped sharing these numbers, but multiple reliable sources that we track on a daily basis shared last week's numbers.

For the week of May 8 to May 14, insurance registrations for all passenger vehicles in China were 365,000, up 43.5 percent year-on-year, but down 11.8 percent from the previous week.

Insurance registrations for conventional internal combustion engine vehicles were 245,000 last week, up 29.8 percent year-on-year but down 20.3 percent from the previous week.

New energy vehicles (NEVs) were 120,000 units last week, up 82.7 percent year-on-year and 12.8 percent from the previous week.

In terms of NEV insurance registrations, BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDY) continues to hold the distant lead with 46,892 units last week, up from 45,789 units the week before.
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During the week of May 1 to May 7, the first three days were the Labor Day holiday in China, although May 6 was a Saturday but a weekday. The holiday ran from April 29 to May 3.

(NASDAQ: TSLA) registered 9,990 insurance units in China last week, up from 5,928 the week before.

NIO (NYSE: NIO) had 1,200 insurance registrations last week, up from 1,100 the week before. These numbers are not precise to the single digit, as the sources tracked by CnEVPost did not share more detailed figures.

NIO's sales appear to be continuing to be dampened by the upcoming new ES6, as potential consumers may be waiting for the more cost-effective SUV.

The company announced yesterday that the new ES6 will be officially launched on May 24, with test drives available on the same day and deliveries to begin on May 25.

This will be its fastest model from launch to delivery, perhaps because of the lessons learned from the long waiting period for models including the ET5 that led to the loss of potential orders.

The continued product switchover led to months of sluggish NIO deliveries, which fell further to 6,658 vehicles in April. The company will report first-quarter earnings on June 9, when it is expected to provide guidance on second-quarter deliveries.

(NASDAQ: LI) continued its strong trend with 6,670 insurance registrations last week, up from 4,543 the previous week.

Li Auto is currently untroubled by product switches and its three models are competitive compared to their class, allowing it to maintain strong sales.

To show off that it is leading the pack of new car makers, Li Auto has shared weekly insurance registration figures for the past two months, but stopped sharing them this month.

On May 15, Li Auto founder, chairman and CEO Li Xiang said on Weibo that their sharing of weekly data was complained about by some of their peers, so they were unable to continue sharing them.

Li Auto guided for second-quarter deliveries between 76,000 and 81,000 vehicles when it reported first-quarter earnings on May 10. Considering it delivered a record 25,681 vehicles in April, that guidance means it expects to deliver a total of 50,319 to 55,319 vehicles in May and June.

XPeng (NYSE: XPEV) had 1,500 insurance registrations last week, up from 870 the week before.

XPeng, similar to NIO, is facing a product switch, with potential consumers perhaps watching the upcoming launch of the new SUV G6.

It previously said the G6 would be officially launched and delivered by the end of the second quarter, with a price range of RMB 200,000 ($28,660) - RMB 300,000.

XPeng's monthly sales target for the G6 is two to three times that of the P7, its chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said during a March 17 analyst call after the company announced its fourth-quarter earnings.

XPeng delivered 7,079 vehicles in April, down 21.36 percent from 9,002 a year ago but up 1.1 percent from 7,002 in March.

It will report first-quarter earnings on May 24, when it is expected to provide guidance on second-quarter deliveries.

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Data table: China NEV weekly insurance registrations

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First swap station built by NIO and Shell in Europe goes online

NIO and Shell signed a strategic partnership agreement in November 2021 to collaborate on charging and battery swap facilities in China and Europe.

First swap station built by NIO and Shell in Europe goes online-CnEVPost

(Image credit: NIO)

NIO (NYSE: NIO) and Shell, the world's largest gasoline retailer, have officially launched the first battery swap stations jointly built by the two in Europe, the electric vehicle (EV) maker said today.

The station is located in Harmelen, Netherlands, NIO said today on its Weibo account.

To date, NIO has 16 battery swap stations and eight charging stations in Europe, and its charging map there has access to more than 400,000 third-party charging piles.

First swap station built by NIO and Shell in Europe goes online-CnEVPost

In November 2021, NIO signed a strategic partnership agreement with Shell to collaborate on charging and battery swap facilities in China and Europe.

The two plan to jointly install 100 swap stations in China by 2025 and plan to operate pilot stations in Europe starting in 2022, according to a statement at the time.

On August 1, 2022, the first NIO-Shell partnership battery swap station and supercharger station went into operation in Xiamen, Fujian province, in southeastern China.

First swap station built by NIO and Shell in Europe goes online-CnEVPost

The opening of the station marked the official start of NIO's partnership with Shell in the EV energy sector, NIO said at the time.

As of May 15, NIO had 1,403 battery swap stations in China, as well as 2,580 charging stations offering 15,312 charging piles.

The company's charging map in China has access to more than 700,000 third-party charging piles.

First NIO battery swap station jointly built with Shell goes into operation

First swap station built by NIO and Shell in Europe goes online-CnEVPost

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NIO to officially launch new ES6 on May 24, delivery to start next day

The new ES6 will be officially launched on May 24, with test drives available on the same day and deliveries starting on May 25, NIO said today.

NIO to officially launch new ES6 on May 24, delivery to start next day-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

NIO (NYSE: NIO) will officially launch the new ES6 SUV in China next Wednesday, and deliveries will begin the next day, making it the fastest model from launch to delivery.

The new ES6 will be officially launched on May 24, with test drives available on the same day and deliveries starting on May 25, the company announced today on its mobile app.

The model is available for pre-order now, and consumers who pay a RMB 5,000 ($720) pre-order deposit before its official launch and convert those payments into a non-refundable deposit by July 31 will receive a Moon-themed exterior package and orange caliper worth RMB 8,000 and NOP+ two years free access worth RMB 9,120.

NIO has not announced any more information about the new ES6 based on its latest NT 2.0 platform, and its pricing is expected to be known on May 24.

It is not clear whether NIO will hold an offline launch of the new ES6 or whether the model will be launched only at an online event.

NIO to officially launch new ES6 on May 24, delivery to start next day-CnEVPost

(Image credit: NIO)

NIO officially unveiled the 2023 ET7 sedan at a brief launch event on the first day of the Shanghai auto show on April 18, and allowed an improved version of the ES6 SUV based on the NT 2.0 platform to make its debut.

The older ES6 based on the NT 1.0 platform was previously offered in three versions -- Sport, Performance and Signature -- with starting prices of RMB 386,000, 426,000 and 496,000 respectively.

On May 11, NIO asked its community for opinions on the pricing of the new ES6, and a questionnaire at the time offered six options: under RMB 368,000, RMB 368,000, RMB 378,000, RMB 338,000, RMB 398,000, and above RMB 398,000.

For NIO, the new ES6 will be a model of strategic importance, as it will be the least expensive of NIO's SUVs. The move underscores the high hopes it has for the model's sales prospects.

From January to August 2022, 32,877 units of the ES6 were delivered, contributing 46 percent of NIO's total deliveries of 71,556 units for the period, according to figures monitored by CnEVPost from the company and the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

The new ES6 is now widely seen as being powerfully equipped and competitively priced, which has sparked discontent among some owners who previously purchased the ES7 SUV.

Last month, several ES7 owners formed a WeChat group to collectively express their dissatisfaction that the upcoming new ES6 means NIO has betrayed them.

NIO's announcement today of the launch date for the new ES6 confirms a rumor from earlier this month.

Local auto industry media D1EV reported on May 4 that the new ES6 will be officially launched on May 24, and that show cars of the model will be available in NIO stores starting on the launch day.

Compared to the old ES6, the new model will retain only the Sport version, and the previously available higher-priced Performance and Signature versions have been optimized to become the new ES7 model currently on sale, the report said.

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NIO asks its community for advice on pricing of new ES6

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