- These four updated models will feature design upgrades, enhanced configurations, and improved smart driving experiences.
- The latest schedule underscores Nio's tight product launch schedule this year.
Nio Inc announced on Wednesday that it will officially launch the 2026 ES6, EC6, ET5, and ET5 Touring on Thursday, April 2, updating its four lower-priced models.
The company said that these four updated models will feature design upgrades, enhanced configurations, and improved smart driving experiences, without providing further details. A launch event will begin at 6:00 pm Beijing Time on Thursday.
During last month's earnings call, Nio management mentioned that the 2026 model year ET5, ET5 Touring, ES6, and EC6 would be launched in the second quarter.
This latest schedule means the updates for these four models will arrive just two days into the second quarter, highlighting Nio's tight product launch schedule this year.
Early last month, Nio founder, chairman, and CEO William Li mentioned in a live video stream that the "5566" model series — including the ET5 and ES6 — will receive a facelift this year.
Nio typically uses "5566" to refer to the Nio ET5, ET5 Touring, ES6, and EC6.
These models will gain features such as blue driver-assistance indicator lights. Additionally, the ES6 and EC6 will offer an optional zero-gravity driver's seat, according to Li.
Over the past few years, the "5566" lineup has been Nio's best-selling models, targeting the 300,000 yuan ($43,590) market segment with their lower price points.
However, with the launch of the third-generation ES8 in September 2025, this flagship SUV has become Nio's new sales pillar, surprising many.
Later this week, Nio will mark the delivery of its 90,000th third-generation ES8, an executive said yesterday.
This implies that Nio delivered nearly 20,000 third-generation ES8s in March. The company is expected to announce its March delivery figures later today.
The third-generation ES8 offers six- and seven-seat configurations, with a starting price of 406,800 yuan including the battery pack, making it one of the most expensive models from a domestic Chinese automaker.
Nio plans to launch a five-seat version of the ES8 in early July, co-founder and president Qin Lihong said at an event in Shenzhen last month.
The company is preparing to launch its all-new flagship SUV, the ES9, with a technology launch event scheduled for April 9. The ES9 will officially go on sale in May, with deliveries set to begin on June 1.
Additionally, Nio's sub-brand Onvo will launch the L80 large SUV in May, the company previously announced.
($1 = 6.8827 yuan)
