- Nio ES8 recorded retail sales of 13,020 units in April, extending its dominance in China's premium market.
- The ES8 delivered 45,185 units in the first quarter, contributing 54.14% of Nio Inc's total deliveries for the period.
Nio Inc's (NYSE: NIO) third-generation ES8 continued to lead China's large sport utility vehicle (SUV) market last month as sales remained robust.
The electric SUV recorded retail sales of 13,020 units in April, making it the retail champion in China's large SUV market for the fifth consecutive month, Nio said on Wednesday.
In the segment priced above 400,000 yuan ($58,890), the ES8 also ranked first regardless of energy form, Nio said.
Nio officially launched the third-generation ES8 at Nio Day 2025 on September 20, 2025, with deliveries beginning the following day on September 21.
The three-row electric SUV, offering six- and seven-seat options, starts at 406,800 yuan including the battery pack, making it one of the most expensive models from Nio and Chinese domestic automakers.
To maintain the sales momentum of the high-margin model, Nio Inc extended its previous limited-time purchase incentives in May, allowing buyers to apply for a five-year, zero-down-payment, interest-free financing plan.
Furthermore, buyers who lock in their orders before the end of May can receive a 10,000-yuan purchase tax subsidy. These incentives are designed to attract more consumers in the fiercely competitive Chinese market.
The ES8's delivery volume in April stood at 13,028 units, a figure that includes both domestic retail and overseas exports, contributing 44.38% of Nio Inc's total deliveries for the month.
The large pure electric SUV reached the 100,000-unit milestone late last month, just 215 days after deliveries began. Its continued strong sales have provided crucial support for Nio Inc's recent financial performance.
The company is scheduled to report its unaudited first-quarter financial results before the US market opens on May 21. It delivered 83,465 vehicles in the first quarter, exceeding the upper end of its guidance range of 80,000 to 83,000 units.
The ES8 delivered 45,185 units in the first quarter, accounting for 54.14% of Nio Inc's deliveries during the same period.
Nio also recently introduced the ES8 Mirrorblack Edition, with a starting price of 456,800 yuan.
The company plans to officially launch the new flagship SUV ES9 on May 27. Pre-sales for the model began on April 9, with a starting pre-sales price of 528,000 yuan.
In addition to the ES9, Nio's sub-brand Onvo will officially launch the L80 five-seat electric SUV on May 15.
With the roll-out of strategic new models such as the Nio ES9 and Onvo L80, Nio Inc's overall deliveries are expected to see a steady rebound in May and June, the company's management previously said.
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