“Integrated with over 100 NIO full-stack technologies, NIO ET9 reaches a new height of innovation and technological development,” says founder and CEO William Li.
At its annual client event on Saturday, China’s Nio EV showcased a flagship sedan that is expected to compete with Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s luxury S range and Porsche AG’s Panamera series. The first quarter of 2025 is when Nio’s EV four-seater executive vehicle, known as the ET9, is anticipated to be on sale. Nio’s ET9 projected starting price is approximately $112,000, or 800,000 yuan.
With a starting price of 698,900 yuan in China, Tesla Inc.’s Model S is less expensive than Nio’s flagship electric vehicle.
THE EV FLAGSHIP OF NIO
According to creator and CEO William Li, the flagship Nio EV vehicle will have huge cylindrical battery cells and an in-house built five-nanometer automotive-grade chip. Additionally, it will work with a 900 Voltage ultra-fast charging infrastructure, which could let it to reach 255 kilometers (158 miles) of range in just five minutes.
Li stated during the event, which was hosted this year in Xi’an, the northern Chinese city known for its Terracotta Warriors, that “Integrated with over 100 NIO full-stack technologies, NIO ET9 reaches a new height of innovation and technological development.”
At “Nio Day,” an annual event for business partners, clients, and the media, Nio introduces its main products and lays out its plans in an effort to foster brand loyalty.
NIO POWER TRANSITION CENTERS
Additionally, Nio unveiled the next iteration of its Nio Power Swap stations, a platform that can swap out a dead battery for a fully charged one in as little as three minutes. According to the business, the newest version can cut down on overall swapping time by 22% and is compatible with numerous manufacturers.
In an effort to reduce consumers’ range anxiety, the business has built 1,000 power exchange stations by the end of 2023 and has committed to building an additional 1,000 stations and 20,000 chargers in the following year.
CUTS IN THE JOB AT NIO
Once regarded as one of the most promising up-and-coming companies in China’s EV sector, Nio has struggled to meet sales goals and has seen losses for some time, which has forced the company to consider layoffs after letting go of at least 10% of its staff last month.
COLLABORATE WITH CYVN HOLDINGS LLC
It agreed to get a $2.2 billion cash infusion from the fund CYVN Holdings LLC, which is sponsored by Abu Dhabi, earlier in December. After all is said and done, CYVN will hold a 20.1% share in Nio and be able to propose two candidates for the board.
According to Li, during a Sunday media event, Nio will continue to prioritize important projects and markets while promoting efficiency. The investment will not alter the company’s current strategies. This month, he declared that the automaker would make its debut in the United Arab Emirates market the following year.
GO DEEPER INSIDE CHINA
In an effort to stave off competition, Nio intends to expand into more lower-class Chinese cities, the company’s president Qin Lihong announced on Sunday. According to Qin, these regions “contributed over half of the sales of BMW AG, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and Audi AG—while not being provincial capitals or the most economically developed cities.” She also stated that Nio aspires to be present in every city where the three companies have dealers.
The revenue and margins of NIO
According to Qin, the eight models that are now on sale will account for the majority of Nio’s earnings in the upcoming year or two. He made no mention of any plans to introduce new models in 2024.
The gross margin of the company had a decline to 1% during the second quarter, but it rebounded to 8% in the three months ending on September 30. This year, it is expected to deliver about 159,000 cars, which is fewer than two-thirds of its initial 250,000 target. Its market value has dropped by over 40% since August, when it peaked at $27.5 billion.
By 2024, the company hopes to reduce spending by almost 2 billion yuan. Nio intends to bring all manufacturing in-house, perhaps saving 10% on production expenses. In order to fund its capital-intensive battery-swapping business, it has inked agreements to collaborate with regional automakers, such as Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.