Tagged: China

Tesla applies to expand Shanghai plant, to add pouch-type battery cell capacity, report says

The potential expansion would give the Shanghai factory the capacity to produce 1.75 million powertrains per year, up from the current 1.25 million, according to Reuters.

(Image: Tesla China video screenshot.)

Tesla has applied for regulatory clearance to expand its Shanghai plant and to begin producing pouch-type battery cells for the first time, according to a Reuters report today.

The potential expansion would give the Shanghai factory the capacity to produce 1.75 million powertrain units a year, up from the current 1.25 million, the report said, citing an undated public notice.

It's not clear whether Tesla is committed to moving forward with the expansion or is simply seeking approval for potential, future capacity, the report noted.

Tesla is seeking permission to produce pouch battery cells, and a trial production line would have an initial annual capacity of 20,000 amp-hour cells, the equivalent of one Model Y battery pack, according to the report.

It's not clear how Tesla would use the pouch batteries, which it hasn't used in electric vehicles before, the report noted.

Tesla is also looking to ramp up production of cylindrical 4680 battery cells in China and has brought in new suppliers to reduce costs, according to the Reuters report.

Giga Shanghai is Tesla's largest plant in the world, producing the Model 3 and Model Y, with an annual capacity of about 1.1 million vehicles.

is Tesla's power battery supplier in China, and has a factory near Giga Shanghai that makes battery packs for the EV maker.

Earlier today, Bloomberg cited people familiar with the matter as saying that Tesla is nearing the final stages before starting trial production of its revamped Model 3 sedan in Shanghai.

On April 9, Tesla signed a deal with Shanghai's Lingang authorities to build a new Megafactory in the area, which will be dedicated to Megapack, Tesla's energy storage product.

The Megafactory will be Tesla's first energy storage system factory outside of the US home market, with an initial planned annual production capacity of up to 10,000 commercial energy storage batteries and an energy storage scale of nearly 40 GWh, with products to be supplied to the global market.

The plant is scheduled to start construction in the third quarter of this year and go into operation in the second quarter of 2024.

It is not clear whether the pouch battery cells mentioned in the Reuters report are related to the Megafactory.

Tesla's revamped Model 3 nears final trial production in Shanghai, report says

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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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Zeekr starts delivery of Zeekr 001 with CATL Qilin Battery, CLTC range up to 1,032 km

Deliveries of the Zeekr 009 MPV with Qilin Battery had begun on April 17.

(Image credit: Zeekr)

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) brand of , started the delivery of the Zeekr 001 shooting brake model with CATL Qilin Battery, after starting the delivery of the Zeekr 009 MPV with the battery pack a month ago.

Deliveries of the WE version of the Zeekr 001 with the optional 140 kWh Qilin Battery began today, and the 1,032 km CLTC range makes the model the longest production EV in the world, Zeekr said in a press release.

The Zeekr 001's range addresses the mileage anxiety that plagues users and will allow them to enjoy a hassle-free travel experience, Zeekr said.

Zeekr was officially launched as an independent company in March 2021, with its first model, the Zeekr 001, launched on April 15, 2021, and deliveries beginning in October 2021.

On November 1, 2022, Zeekr's second model, the Zeekr 009 MPV, was launched, and its deliveries began on January 15.

On April 12 of this year, Zeekr launched its third model, the Zeekr X, which it hopes will become the benchmark for luxury compact cars.

CATL launched the Qilin Battery, or CTP (cell to pack) 3.0 battery, on June 23rd last year, claiming that its energy density can reach 255Wh/kg and can support the vehicle to achieve a range of 1,000 km.

On August 27 last year, Zeekr and CATL announced that the Zeekr 009 will be the world's first vehicle to be equipped with the Qilin Battery, while the Zeekr 001 will use the ultra-long range version of the Qilin Battery and will be the world's first production vehicle to be equipped with the 1,000 km range Qilin Battery.

On January 1, Zeekr launched the 2023 Zeekr 001, offering four base versions, including two WE versions, one ME version and one YOU version.

Zeekr offers a 140-kWh Qilin Battery option for the single-motor WE version with a 100-kWh battery pack, allowing the CLTC range to reach 1,032 km.

However, the Qilin Battery option is limited to only 1,000 units, and consumers will have to pay an additional RMB 103,000 ($14,790), meaning the Zeekr 001 with a range of more than 1,000 km will start at RMB 403,000.

On April 17, Zeekr announced that deliveries of the Zeekr 009 MPV with the CATL Qilin Battery begun.

Zeekr delivered 8,101 vehicles in April, up 279.08 percent from 2,137 in the same month last year and up 21.58 percent from 6,663 in March, according to data released earlier this month.

($1 = RMB 6.9653)

Zeekr begins delivery of Zeekr 009 MPV powered by CATL Qilin Battery

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Tesla’s revamped Model 3 nears final trial production in Shanghai, report says

The revamped Model 3 is slightly longer and sportier than earlier versions and has a sleeker interior design, according to Bloomberg.

Tesla's revamped Model 3 nears final trial production in Shanghai, report says-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Tesla is nearing the final stages before starting trial production of its revamped Model 3 sedan in Shanghai, a Bloomberg report today said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The revised Model 3 is slightly longer, sportier and has a sleeker interior design than earlier versions, the people said, according to the report.

Since the beginning of this month, some production staff at Tesla's Shanghai plant have been asked to keep their phones in special lockers outside the factory's production line to prevent potential photo leaks, one of the people said.

Production lines in the first phase of the factory could be shut down for a few days at the end of the month for adjustments, though those plans could still change, the report said.

On March 1, Reuters reported that Tesla had been working to retool its Shanghai assembly plant for a revamped version of the Model 3, a project codenamed Highland by Tesla.

The Highland version of the Model 3 is expected to go into production in Shanghai in September, the Reuters report said, citing a person familiar with the matter.

With the Highland, Tesla aims to cut production costs and boost the appeal of the electric sedan, which debuts in 2017, people involved in the project said.

Appearance and powertrain performance will also be changed, with a focus on production efficiency, they said, according to the report.

Giga Shanghai is Tesla's largest plant in the world, producing the Model 3 and Model Y, with an annual capacity of about 1.1 million vehicles.

Tesla sold 75,842 China-made vehicles in April, including 35,886 units exported, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

Model 3 sales in China in April were 13,196 units, up 2,290.58 percent from 552 units in the same month last year, but down 39.26 percent from 21,726 units in March.

Model Y sales in China in April were 26,760 units, up 2,687.50 percent from 960 units in the same month last year, but down 51.29 percent from 54,937 units in March.

This is due to the fact that Tesla's sales in China fell sharply last April due to the Covid lockdown in Shanghai, and its pattern of producing vehicles primarily for export in the first half of each monthly quarter.

Tesla expected to put new Model 3 into production in Shanghai in Sept; prepares to revamp Model Y, report says

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Tesla’s revamped Model 3 nears final trial production in Shanghai, report says

The revamped Model 3 is slightly longer and sportier than earlier versions and has a sleeker interior design, according to Bloomberg.

Tesla's revamped Model 3 nears final trial production in Shanghai, report says-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Tesla is nearing the final stages before starting trial production of its revamped Model 3 sedan in Shanghai, a Bloomberg report today said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The revised Model 3 is slightly longer, sportier and has a sleeker interior design than earlier versions, the people said, according to the report.

Since the beginning of this month, some production staff at Tesla's Shanghai plant have been asked to keep their phones in special lockers outside the factory's production line to prevent potential photo leaks, one of the people said.

Production lines in the first phase of the factory could be shut down for a few days at the end of the month for adjustments, though those plans could still change, the report said.

On March 1, Reuters reported that Tesla had been working to retool its Shanghai assembly plant for a revamped version of the Model 3, a project codenamed Highland by Tesla.

The Highland version of the Model 3 is expected to go into production in Shanghai in September, the Reuters report said, citing a person familiar with the matter.

With the Highland, Tesla aims to cut production costs and boost the appeal of the electric sedan, which debuts in 2017, people involved in the project said.

Appearance and powertrain performance will also be changed, with a focus on production efficiency, they said, according to the report.

Giga Shanghai is Tesla's largest plant in the world, producing the Model 3 and Model Y, with an annual capacity of about 1.1 million vehicles.

Tesla sold 75,842 China-made vehicles in April, including 35,886 units exported, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

Model 3 sales in China in April were 13,196 units, up 2,290.58 percent from 552 units in the same month last year, but down 39.26 percent from 21,726 units in March.

Model Y sales in China in April were 26,760 units, up 2,687.50 percent from 960 units in the same month last year, but down 51.29 percent from 54,937 units in March.

This is due to the fact that Tesla's sales in China fell sharply last April due to the Covid lockdown in Shanghai, and its pattern of producing vehicles primarily for export in the first half of each monthly quarter.

Tesla expected to put new Model 3 into production in Shanghai in Sept; prepares to revamp Model Y, report says

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Great Wall Motor’s Haval brand launches 2 new PHEVs to regain lost ground in SUV market

The Haval brand was for a long time the top-selling in the SUV market in China, but with the rapid growth of the NEV industry, it has lost its dominance to BYD.

Great Wall Motor's Haval brand launches 2 new PHEVs to regain lost ground in SUV market-CnEVPost

(Haval Xiaolong Max. Image credit: Haval)

Great Wall Motor's Haval brand was the top-selling SUV brand in China for a long time. However, with the rapid development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, its dominance was replaced by BYD.

Now, the auto giant based in Baoding, Hebei province, has launched two new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in an attempt to regain its glory in the SUV market.

Haval launched the Xiaolong line of plug-in hybrid SUVs at an event yesterday, offering two models, the Haval Xiaolong and the Haval Xiaolong Max.

The Haval Xiaolong is a compact SUV with a length, width and height of 4,600 mm, 1,877 mm and 1,675 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,710 mm.

It is available in three versions starting at RMB 139,800 ($20,100), 149,800 and 156,800 respectively.

Great Wall Motor's Haval brand launches 2 new PHEVs to regain lost ground in SUV market-CnEVPost

(Haval Xiaolong.)

The Haval Xiaolong is powered by an engine with a displacement of 1.5 L and a front-mounted electric motor. The drive system has a maximum power of 185 kW and a maximum torque of 375 Nm.

The three models are available in 2 pure electric range versions, the lowest priced version with an NEDC range of 52 km and the other two with 110 km. Their fuel consumption per 100 km at WLTC conditions is 2.4 L, 1.39 L and 1.39 L respectively.

The Haval Xiaolong Max is a mid-size SUV with a length, width and height of 4,758 mm, 1,895 mm and 1,725 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,800 mm.

The vehicle is also available in three versions, with starting prices of RMB 159,800, 169,800 and 179,800 respectively.

The Haval Xiaolong Max comes standard with Great Wall Motor's Hi4 hybrid system unveiled on March 10, powered by a 1.5 L engine and dual front and rear electric motors, with a combined maximum system power of 205 kW and maximum torque of 585 Nm.

The car has an NEDC pure electric range of 105 km, a WLTC range of 83 km and a fast charging power of 33 kW.

Great Wall Motor's Haval brand launches 2 new PHEVs to regain lost ground in SUV market-CnEVPost

Both models seem to be aimed at competing with BYD's Song series, with the Haval Xiaolong targeting the market for the Song Pro DM-i series and the Haval Xiaolong Max for the Song Plus DM-i series.

For comparison, the BYD Song Pro DM-i has a length, width and height of 4,650 mm, 1,860 mm and 1,700 mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,712 mm.

The car is available in 2 battery range versions with NEDC electric range of 51 km and 110 km respectively, and the starting price is RMB 140,800.

The BYD Song Plus DM-i has a length, width and height of 4,705 mm, 1,890 mm and 1,680 mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,765 mm.

The car is available in 2 battery range versions with NEDC electric range of 55 km and 110 km respectively, and the starting price is RMB 154,600.

Haval was once the market leader in SUVs in China, with its Haval H6 being the best-selling SUV for many years.

Great Wall Motor's Haval brand launches 2 new PHEVs to regain lost ground in SUV market-CnEVPost

But in the past couple of years, with the rapid growth of China's NEV industry, BYD's Song series has replaced the Haval H6 as the best-selling SUV.

With 174,422 retail sales in China from January to April, the BYD Song series was the best-selling SUV during that period, up 76.5 percent from 98,809 units in the same period last year, according to data released earlier this month by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

For comparison, the Haval H6 retailed 63,682 units from January to April, down 25.9 percent from 85,986 units a year ago, placing it fifth in the best-selling SUV sales rankings.

($1 = RMB 6.9525)

Full CPCA rankings: Top-selling models and automakers in China in Apr

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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.

($1 = RMB 6.9582)

NIO asks its community for advice on pricing of new ES6

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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.

($1 = RMB 6.9582)

NIO asks its community for advice on pricing of new ES6

The post NIO to officially launch new ES6 on May 24, delivery to start next day appeared first on CnEVPost.

For more articles, please visit CnEVPost.

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.

($1 = RMB 6.9582)

NIO asks its community for advice on pricing of new ES6

The post NIO to officially launch new ES6 on May 24, delivery to start next day appeared first on CnEVPost.

For more articles, please visit CnEVPost.

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.

($1 = RMB 6.9582)

NIO asks its community for advice on pricing of new ES6

The post NIO to officially launch new ES6 on May 24, delivery to start next day appeared first on CnEVPost.

For more articles, please visit CnEVPost.