Nio said on Sunday that several individuals have been detained and punished in China for spreading false information about the company, including rumors that it had been acquired.
In January, rumours circulated on Chinese social media claiming BYD would form a joint venture with Nio. Weeks later, another rumour indicated that Nio was laying off half of its workforce.
A user claimed online that “a certain luxury car company is laying off 50 percent of its workforce and offering n+1 compensation to its employees.”
Though the company was not explicitly named, a top-liked comment identified Nio, prompting speculation in China.
Both rumours were denied by the Shanghai-based brand.
The legal department of the Chinese EV maker said on Sunday that “multiple individuals have been administratively detained and punished” following an investigation by the Anhui Provincial Public Security Department.
The statement, posted on the company’s official Weibo account, said it commended authorities for “their firm actions against various online rumor-based crimes, for continuously purifying the online environment, for safeguarding the lawful operation and development of enterprises, and for upholding the dignity of the law.”
The EV maker said it would continue working with law enforcement agencies “to combat online rumors” and pledged to “promptly disclose updates” regarding future developments.
The statement also highlighted the company’s efforts to hold individuals accountable through civil channels.
It said the “One-Click Report” feature had received “strong support and engagement from users,” and that Nio had “initiated legal actions, including litigation, against multiple online accounts.”
Below is the full text of the Nio’s Legal Department.
“Police Report on Rumors Involving NIO: Multiple Individuals Detained and Punished
Recently, the Anhui Provincial Public Security Department announced the results of investigations into cases involving rumors related to NIO.
These included fabricating claims that NIO had been acquired and impersonating NIO employees to spread false business information.
Multiple individuals involved in these illegal activities have been administratively detained and punished.
We express our sincere gratitude to the public security authorities for their firm crackdown on various online rumor-related illegal activities, for continuously purifying the online environment, safeguarding the lawful operations and development of enterprises, and upholding the dignity of the law.
Going forward, NIO will continue to cooperate with the police in combating online rumors and will disclose updates in a timely manner.
Since the launch of the “One-Click Report” feature, it has received widespread support and response from users. Based on the clues reported, we have taken legal actions, including litigation, against multiple online accounts.
We will announce progress in due course.
The above content has been simultaneously released through the official accounts of the NIO Legal Department on the NIO App, Onvo App, Firefly App, WeChat, Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Toutiao, and Bilibili platforms.
Once again, we thank everyone for their attention and support for NIO.
NIO Legal Department / June 8, 2025″
