Nio Reports Online Smear Campaigns to Police Ahead of ES9 Launch

NIO reported a series of alleged online smear campaigns to Chinese police as the EV maker prepared for several major product launches and continued its push toward sustained profitability. The company said authorities had accepted the case after Nio gathered evidence tied to what it described as malicious rumors targeting its Onvo sub-brand and battery swap network.

The legal action came during a critical period for Nio, which recently reported its second consecutive profitable quarter on an adjusted operating basis while ramping up new vehicle launches across multiple brands.

Nio targets online rumors tied to Onvo and battery swap network

Nio’s legal department said several online accounts spread false information related to its Onvo sub-brand, including claims involving an actor featured in an Onvo promotional video. According to the company, some social media accounts falsely identified the actor as the lead from a recently criticized film, despite Nio publicly debunking the rumors through multiple channels.

The company specifically named an account called “Peterburg’s Fat Swan,” alleging the account continued circulating misinformation to fuel negative public sentiment toward the brand, according to CNEV Post.

Nio also accused another account, “Aotou Caijing,” of publishing inaccurate sales figures and fabricating battery swap station failure rates across several online platforms. The EV maker said the claims caused significant reputational damage while attacking both its battery swap infrastructure and broader multi-brand strategy.

The company stated it would continue pursuing legal action against individuals and organizations responsible for spreading false information online.

Nio expands product lineup as competition intensifies in China

The police filing arrived as Nio accelerated new product launches in China’s increasingly competitive EV market. The company recently introduced the Onvo L80 five-seat SUV with a starting price of 242,800 yuan including the battery pack.

Nio is also preparing to officially launch the flagship ES9 SUV on May 27, with customer test drives already underway ahead of the debut. At the upcoming 2026 Shenzhen Auto Show, Onvo is expected to begin pre-sales for the updated L60 SUV as well.

Nio reported an adjusted operating profit of 66.8 million yuan ($9.7 million) during the first quarter, marking its second consecutive quarter of profitability and signaling improving operational efficiency.

The company has increasingly taken an aggressive stance against online misinformation campaigns. Last year, Nio offered rewards of up to 1 million yuan for information related to coordinated cyberbullying and smear efforts targeting the automaker.

Other Chinese EV makers have pursued similar legal strategies. Earlier this week, BYD reportedly won a lawsuit against an automotive blogger accused of spreading false information about the company’s vehicle systems.

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