Nio is a pioneer in China's premium electric vehicle market. The company designs, manufactures, and sells smart and connected premium EVs.
(Image credit: CnEVPost)
Nio is a pioneer in China's premium electric vehicle market.
The company designs, jointly manufactures, and sells smart and connected premium electric vehicles, driving innovations in next generation technologies in connectivity, autonomous driving and artificial intelligence.
Its Chinese name, Weilai (蔚来), which means Blue Sky Coming, reflects its commitment to a more environmentally friendly future.
The first model it developed was the EP9 supercar, introduced in 2016.
The EP9 set a world record as the then fastest all-electric vehicle on the track at the Nürburgring Nordschleife “Green Hell” track in Germany in May 2017, finishing a lap in 6 minutes and 45.90 seconds.
Nio launched its first volume manufactured electric vehicle, the ES8, to the public at the Nio Day event on December 16, 2017 and began making deliveries to users on June 28, 2018.
The ES8 is a 7-seater all aluminum alloy body, premium electric SUV. It is equipped with proprietary electric powertrain system, which is capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km per hour in 4.4 seconds and delivering a New European Driving Cycle, or NEDC, driving range of up to 355 km and a maximum range of up to 500 km in a single charge.
Nio aims to create the most worry-free experience for its users, online or offline, at home or on-the-go.
In response to common concerns over the accessibility and convenience of EV charging, Nio offers a comprehensive, convenient and innovative suite of charging solutions.
These solutions include Power Home, its home charging solution, Power Swap, its battery swapping service, Power Mobile, its mobile charging service through charging trucks, and Power Express, its 24-hour on-demand pick-up and drop-off charging service.
In addition, its vehicles are compatible with China's national charging standards and have access to a nationwide publicly accessible charging network.
Beyond charging solutions, Nio offers comprehensive value-added services to users, such as statutory and third-party liability insurance and car damage insurance through third-party insurers, repair and routine maintenance services, courtesy car during lengthy repairs and maintenance, nationwide roadside assistance, as well as an enhanced data package.
Nio's electric powertrain consists of three key sub-systems: an electric drive system, or EDS, an energy storage system, or ESS, and a vehicle intelligence control system, or VIS.
Its electric powertrain reflects cutting-edge proprietary technologies and visionary engineering in EV design.
NOMI, one of the most advanced in-car AI assistants developed by a Chinese company, is a voice activated AI digital companion that personalizes the user's driving experience.
Nio has significant in-house capabilities in the design and engineering of electric vehicles, electric vehicle components and software systems.
It has strategically located teams in locations where it believes has access to the best talent.
Nio sells vehicles through its own sales network, including Nio Houses and mobile application.
Nio Houses are not only the showrooms for vehicles, but also clubhouses for users with multiple social functions.
Prospective users can place orders using its mobile application and more importantly, its mobile application fosters a dynamic and interactive online platform.
Nio believes its online and offline integrated community which is developing from Nio Houses and mobile application will retain user engagement and cultivate loyalty to its brand, along with other successful branding activities such as our annual Nio Day and our Drivers' Championship winning Formula E team.
(The content of this article is compiled based on Nio's US IPO prospectus in 2021.)