- This represents roughly half the 24-26 week wait period when the third-generation ES8 was launched in September 2025.
- The first quarter will mark the annual low point for China's overall automotive industry.
Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO, HKG: 9866) has further reduced the estimated delivery wait time for its ES8 SUV (sport utility vehicle) as the broader Chinese auto market enters its seasonal slowdown.
Chinese customers purchasing the third-generation ES8 now can expect delivery 13-14 weeks after finalizing their configuration, according to information displayed on the Nio App.
This represents roughly half the 24-26 week wait observed when the model was launched on September 20, 2025, as tracked daily by CnEVPost.
Deliveries of the third-generation ES8 commenced on September 21, with about 40,000 units delivered throughout 2025.
On January 18, Nio announced the 50,000th delivery of the updated ES8.
The delivery wait for the third-generation ES8 first decreased to 22-23 weeks on October 22 last year. On December 1, the wait time changed to 20-21 weeks.
After extending to 17-18 weeks on January 6, the wait time decreased again to 15-16 weeks on January 13.
The third-generation ES8 achieved retail sales of 22,258 units in December, securing its position as China's best-selling large SUV that month.
Entering January, China's overall automotive market experienced a significant downturn as consumers faced a 5% additional vehicle purchase tax and trade-in subsidies had yet to take effect.
From January 1-11, China's passenger new energy vehicle (NEV) retail sales totaled 117,000 units, down 38% year-on-year and down 67% month-on-month, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on January 14.
During the same period, total Chinese passenger vehicle retail sales were 328,000 units, down 32% year-on-year and down 42% month-on-month.
The entire first quarter will represent a low point for China's automotive industry, as both production and sales will be further disrupted by the Spring Festival holiday.
The 2026 Spring Festival falls on February 17, with the official holiday period running from February 15 to 23.
