Nio said on Thursday its legal department has taken further steps against what it described as organized “black PR” campaigns and malicious attacks on its three brands.
Late last month, the company said it was suing another five social media accounts for “maliciously defaming the brand” and “spreading false information.”
The brand’s legal team said a court had issued a first-instance ruling ordering the operator of the online account “2018护甲神龙” to delete thousands of defamatory posts, issue a public apology to Nio, and pay compensation for economic losses.
In a statement posted on its dedicated legal Weibo account, Nio said it has been monitoring online activity amid the launch of its both three-row SUVs ES8 and L90, alleging that organized groups have been spreading false or defamatory information.
The Shanghai-headquartered EV maker opened the ‘Nio Legal Department’ account on the social media platform Weibo in May 2023, aiming to fight false information on social media and protect its image.
The company said on Thursday it has collected evidence, identified some marketing institutions behind the activity, and has filed police reports and lawsuits against multiple accounts.
Since the start of this year, Nio said it has pursued legal action against “hundreds of infringing accounts” responsible for spreading millions of pieces of content attacking the company and its users.
“Nio has always adhered to correct values and welcomes and accepts reasonable criticism and suggestions from the public, while continuing to take legal measures against any malicious infringement, black PR, and ‘water army’ activity,” the company said.
The company added it believes long-term success in the industry will depend on values, sustained investment in R&D, and delivering high-quality products and services.
In July, the company had already denied allegations that its mass-market sub-brand Onvo engaged in orchestrated online attacks against rival carmakers.
Full transcript of Nio’s legal department statement (translated from Chinese):
“We hereby announce to Nio users and the public the recent progress in safeguarding our rights as follows: The holder of the online account “2018护甲神龙” (2018 Armor Shenlong), Xiang Ting, disregarded national laws and, within the past year, published thousands of statements on multiple platforms attacking, slandering, and insulting Nio and Nio users, seriously harming the legitimate rights and interests of Nio and its users as well as the clean online environment.
The court recently issued a first-instance judgment ordering Xiang Ting to immediately delete all infringing content, publicly apologize to Nio, and compensate for economic losses.
Recently, with the release of the all-scenario technology flagship SUV, the new Nio ES8, and the strong sales of the intelligent large-space flagship SUV, the Onvo L90, we have also noticed suspected black PR and organized “water army” smear campaigns against Nio and its products.
We have been continuously monitoring, securing evidence, and obtained information on some MCN institutions, and have already taken legal measures such as filing police reports and lawsuits against some accounts.
We will disclose case progress to the public in due course.
Since the beginning of this year, we have taken various legal actions against hundreds of infringing accounts, involving the spread of millions of unlawful infringing pieces of information targeting Nio with slander, smears, and insults.
Nio has always adhered to correct values and welcomes and accepts reasonable criticism and suggestions from the public, while continuing to take legal measures against any malicious infringement, black PR, and “water army” activity, resolutely safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the company and its users.
We have always believed that only enterprises with good values, focused on technological R&D and providing users with excellent products and services, can go further and in turn contribute to the high-quality development of the automobile industry.
The all-scenario technology flagship SUV, the new Nio ES8, which brings together the crystallization of ten years of Nio’s R&D, has officially begun user test drives in 152 cities nationwide, across more than 500 stores and city showrooms.
We sincerely invite you to come and experience the charm of the flagship.
Nio Legal Department | September 11, 2025″
