- Nio ES9 deliveries are scheduled to begin on June 1, with the Nio team still considering whether to introduce more affordable versions without the SkyRide chassis system.
- Onvo will officially announce the L80 pricing and begin the SUV's deliveries in mid-May.
Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO, HKG: 9866) will officially launch two new models in the second quarter, intensifying its push in the SUV (sport utility vehicle) market.
Qin Lihong, co-founder and president of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, disclosed the company's core product roadmap for the first half of 2025 in a recent user meet-up, covering both the Nio main brand and its sub-brand Onvo.
Qin said that the Nio brand will hold a product and technology launch event for its new flagship SUV, the ES9, around April 10.
The Nio ES9 will officially go on sale in late May, when pricing will be announced, with deliveries commencing on June 1, according to a video viewed by CnEVPost.
Onvo, meanwhile, will release full product details for the L80 in late April, followed by pricing announcements and delivery commencement in mid-May — coinciding with the brand's second anniversary.
This intensive product calendar reflects Nio's strategic intent to leverage scale for momentum in China's increasingly competitive premium EV market.
ES9: SUV adaptation of ET9's technologies
Qin described the ES9's positioning as the full suite of ET9 technologies packaged within an exceptionally large SUV body.
The ET9 is Nio's executive flagship sedan, equipped with its SkyRide chassis system and priced starting at RMB 768,000 ($111,370).
Porting ET9's technology to an SUV platform positions the ES9 to compete technically with flagship luxury SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X7.
Notably, the ES9's pricing strategy remains fluid.
Qin said that Nio's internal team is debating whether to equip all ES9 variants with the SkyRide chassis system or differentiate configurations to achieve a broader price range.
"Without the SkyRide chassis, the price would be more accessible," Qin said, noting this decision will be a core focus for him and his team immediately after the Chinese New Year holiday.
Regarding the launch timeline, Nio will follow the approach taken last year with the L90 SUV and third-generation ES8 SUV: building up inventory before the official launch to ensure strong market momentum during the initial delivery phase.
Qin also revealed that undisguised ES9 test vehicles may appear on the road as early as March, with related smart driving assistance testing and promotional filming set to roll out nationwide.
Onvo L80 to expand Onvo product lineup
The L80 is positioned as Onvo's most crucial model this year. Priced between the L90 and L60, the large five-seat SUV will fill a pricing gap in Onvo's product sequence.
Qin said that the L80 will undergo a comprehensive product and technology launch around April 20, with content so extensive it will require a two-hour dedicated presentation.
This mirrors the approach taken with the Onvo L90's July 2025 launch, building user trust through in-depth, physics-class-style product analysis.
Qin confirmed that pricing for the L80 will be officially announced and deliveries commenced in mid-May, coinciding with the Onvo brand's second-anniversary celebrations.
Qin did not specify the exact launch date for the L80. The Onvo brand will celebrate its second anniversary on May 15.
Onvo's current lineup includes the L60 midsize SUV and the L90 large three-row SUV, with starting prices of RMB 206,900 and RMB 265,800 respectively.
Beyond the launch event and timeline, Nio's current focus lies in quality control for mass production readiness and supply chain security, Qin said.
He noted that small-batch production models of the ES9 are already undergoing road testing, indicating substantial progress in production preparations.
![William Li reaffirms Nio's 2026 annual profitability target in internal address [full text inside]](https://cdn.cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026021008574480-768x432.jpg)
($1 = RMB 6.8963)
