Nio will produce its one-millionth mass-produced vehicle on Tuesday, roughly seven and a half years after rolling off its first unit.
In a letter to media invited to attend the ceremony, founder and CEO William Li called the achievement “a microcosm of the technological progress and product innovation of China’s automotive industry, and a testament to the comprehensive, system-level capabilities that NIO has accumulated over the past eleven years.”
“This is a milestone jointly achieved by the three brands — NIO, ONVO, and firefly — together with one million users,” Li added.
Nio was founded in November 2014 in Shanghai by William Li and Lihong Qin, the company’s President.
Onvo began delivering its debut model L60 in September 2024 while Firefly deliveries started in April 2025.
The event will take place at Nio‘s second factory — known as F2 — located at the Neo Park complex in Hefei, Anhui province. A third plant opened last September without an official ceremony.
First Vehicle
The EV maker’s first mass-produced vehicle, a first-generation ES8 SUV, rolled off the line at JAC’s factory in May 2018.
Nio initially lacked its own vehicle manufacturing qualification — which China strictly controls to prevent overcapacity — and produced vehicles under JAC’s name through a joint venture established in March 2021.
The premium brand obtained independent manufacturing qualification in late 2023 and acquired the factory assets, ending the requirement to display JAC branding on its vehicles.
In mid-2025, Nio and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) began winding down the joint venture, as the EV maker no longer needs to rely on JAC’s qualifications for production.
2025 Performance
Li highlighted Nio Group‘s 2025 delivery results in the letter.
“In 2025, with the witness and support of our media friends, the three brands worked in concert and delivered 326,028 vehicles, a record high, representing a 46.9% year-on-year increase, marking a return to a high-growth trajectory,” Li wrote.
The CEO said the Onvo L90 “recorded 43,439 cumulative deliveries within five months of launch, earning the title of annual sales champion among large pure-electric SUVs.”
Li noted that the new ES8 “delivered 22,256 units in December, setting a new record for monthly deliveries among models priced above RMB 400,000” — equivalent to $57,200.
“These two large SUVs have reshaped the competitive landscape of their respective markets, and in the critical large three-row SUV segment, the golden era of pure electric vehicles is arriving,” Li wrote.
Regarding the urban-focused Firefly brand, Li said it “achieved five consecutive months of delivery growth, with its market share in the premium small-car segment continuing to climb and exceeding 61%, ranking first for seven consecutive months.”
Technology Investments
Li said Nio‘s sustained R&D investment “has entered a harvest phase,” with core technologies entering mass production.
“Core intelligent-vehicle technologies — including the world’s first automotive-grade 5-nanometer high-end intelligent driving chip, the vehicle-wide operating system, and SkyOS intelligent chassis — entering mass production and deployment,” Li wrote.
“Technological advantages are being translated into real user value and market recognition,” he added.
The CEO also highlighted Nio‘s continued investment in battery swap infrastructure.
As of January 1, 2026, Nio had built 3,737 battery swap stations globally, providing over 96 million swap services cumulatively. A total of 1,010 highway battery swap stations have been completed.
“Step by step, NIO is delivering on its commitment to make charging as convenient as refueling,” Li wrote.
Full Letter
Below is William Li’s letter left to media attending Tuesday’s event in Hefei, China.
“Dear friends in the media,
From May 27, 2018, when NIO’s first mass-produced vehicle rolled off the production line, to today, NIO is about to welcome the rollout of its 1,000,000th mass-produced vehicle.
This is a milestone jointly achieved by the three brands — NIO, ONVO, and firefly — together with one million users.
It is also a microcosm of the technological progress and product innovation of China’s automotive industry, and a testament to the comprehensive, system-level capabilities that NIO has accumulated over the past eleven years.
In 2025, with the witness and support of our media friends, the three brands worked in concert and delivered 326,028 vehicles, a record high, representing a 46.9% year-on-year increase, marking a return to a high-growth trajectory.
ONVO L90 recorded 43,439 cumulative deliveries within five months of launch, earning the title of annual sales champion among large pure-electric SUVs.
The all-new NIO ES8 delivered 22,256 units in December, setting a new record for monthly deliveries among models priced above RMB 400,000.
These two large SUVs have reshaped the competitive landscape of their respective markets, and in the critical large three-row SUV segment, the golden era of pure electric vehicles is arriving.
As a brand officially launched this year, firefly achieved five consecutive months of delivery growth, with its market share in the premium small-car segment continuing to climb and exceeding 61%, ranking first for seven consecutive months.
In 2025, we also jointly witnessed the long-term value of steadfast investment in technological innovation.
NIO’s sustained R&D investment has entered a harvest phase, with core intelligent-vehicle technologies — including the world’s first automotive-grade 5-nanometer high-end intelligent driving chip, the vehicle-wide operating system, and SkyOS intelligent chassis — entering mass production and deployment.
Technological advantages are being translated into real user value and market recognition.
We have also jointly witnessed the user, commercial, and social value of NIO’s continued investment in battery-swap infrastructure.
As of January 1, 2026, NIO had built 3,737 battery swap stations globally, providing over 96 million swap services cumulatively.
A total of 1,010 highway battery swap stations have been completed, while the “Battery Swap County-to-County Coverage” initiative and the “Power-Up Scenic Routes” continue to advance.
Step by step, NIO is delivering on its commitment to make charging as convenient as refueling.
These achievements would not have been possible without the trust and support of our media friends. Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone.
On January 6, 2026, NIO will hold the rollout ceremony for its 1,000,000th mass-produced vehicle.
The support and attention of our media friends have always been the driving force behind our progress. We will continue to give back to your attention and trust with better products, better services, and better operational performance.
Thank you for coming to NIO Advanced Manufacturing Base Phase II in Hefei to witness this milestone together. Let’s power up together!
William Li”
