NIO Unleashes ET9: Its Flagship Luxurious Electric Sedan Starting At RMB 788,000

NIO made a daring statement with the launch of its most expensive electric vehicle (EV) to date, the ET9 executive sedan. The flagship model, unveiled at NIO’s annual customer event in Guangzhou, represents the company’s push to compete directly with established luxury brands.

The ET9, priced at RMB 788,000 (around $108,000) with battery included, has already demonstrated strong market reception. Within hours of its launch, all 999 units of the limited First Edition, priced at RMB 818,000 ($112,000), were sold out. This special edition includes unique body logos, interior badges, and premium features like NOMI Mate 3.0 and 23-inch wheels.

Built on NIO’s latest NT 3.0 platform with the Cedar vehicle system, the ET9 showcases impressive technical specifications. The four-seater electric sedan spans 5.325 meters long and features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) system delivering a combined output of 520 kW (697 horsepower) and 700 Nm of torque. The model can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and offers a CLTC range of 650 km with its 100 kWh battery pack.

The interior reflects the ET9’s luxury positioning, featuring Nappa leather with two million stitches and a sophisticated sound system comprising 35 speakers. The cabin is dominated by two large LCD displays: a cockpit-wide screen across the dashboard and a conventional infotainment display above the central tunnel.

Moreover, NIO continues to underline its innovative battery-swap technology, offering customers the option to buy the ET9 without a battery for RMB 660,000 ($90,450) and subscribe to their battery-as-a-service (BaaS) program for RMB 1,128 ($155) monthly. This service is supported by NIO’s network of 2,850 swap stations in China and 50 in Europe.

During the same event, NIO unveiled its new sub-brand Firefly, targeting budget-conscious consumers with prices starting from 148,800 yuan. However, the company’s European expansion plans face challenges due to new EU tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese EVs.

William Li, NIO’s founder and CEO, expressed confidence in doubling annual sales to at least 440,000 vehicles in 2025, with the ET9 expected to contribute around 1,000 units monthly. The company aims to achieve profitability by 2026, a goal Li describes as “a task we can’t afford to miss.”

Deliveries of the ET9 are scheduled to begin in March 2025, with early bird customers who place deposits before January 31, 2025, receiving additional benefits including a price reduction and exclusive chauffeur service.

Read More: NIO Achieves Major Milestone With Over 20,000 EV Deliveries For Six Straight Months

With the launch of the ET9, NIO has solidified its aim to lead in both luxury and innovation within the EV market. As NIO ventures further into global markets with a diversified product range, the company’s determination is further accelerated.

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