- Starting December 22, newly produced ES8 cars will utilize a new temporary solution for the rear-seat entertainment chip to ensure deliveries.
- Nio is compensating affected customers and allowing them to switch to the standard solution once the chip shortage eases.
Chip shortage -- an issue that severely impacted the automotive industry four years ago --appears to be affecting production of Nio Inc's (NYSE: NIO, HKG: 9866) third-generation ES8 electric SUV (sport utility vehicle).
The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker revealed in a statement released today via the Nio App that the ES8 faces a shortage of a functional chip and has provided customers with a temporary solution.
The expansion chip for the rear-seat entertainment system in the new ES8 is experiencing supply constraints, Nio said, adding that starting December 22, newly produced ES8 vehicles will adopt a new technical solution for this feature to ensure vehicle deliveries.
The new technical solution will result in the following changes:
- Local video playback via USB drives will no longer be supported. Lossless music playback via USB drives and wireless screen mirroring functions remain unaffected.
- The ability to output the in-car display to an external monitor via the USB-C port in the armrest will no longer be supported. Data input and wired screen mirroring via the USB-C port remain unaffected, supporting up to 1080P resolution.
For customers who lock in their new ES8 orders on or before December 31 and selected the new technology solution, Nio will provide a one-time bonus of 15,000 Nio points, valued at RMB 1,500 ($213).
Once the affected chip supply situation improves, customers who still wish to switch to the original solution may do so by paying 12,000 Nio points or RMB 1,200.
"We are accelerating production to deliver your vehicles as soon as possible," Nio said.
Already delivered new ES8s cannot opt for the new temporary solution, according to the company.
Nio officially launched the third-generation ES8 at Nio Day 2025 on September 20, with deliveries commencing the following day on September 21.
The three-row electric SUV offers six- and seven-seat configurations, with a starting price of RMB 406,800 including the battery pack, making it one of Nio's most expensive models.
The model saw strong initial demand post-launch, with its 2025 production capacity of 40,000 units sold out on the second day of availability.
Nio Inc delivered 36,275 vehicles in November, with the ES8 achieving a record 10,689 deliveries, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.
The company will reach its 30,000th delivery of the new ES8 later this week, a Nio executive hinted last week.
($1 = RMB 7.0441)
