More than 25 Chinese automakers now sell electric or hybrid vehicles in Israel, though the presence in markets such as Israel, Russia and others is rarely highlighted by the companies due to geopolitical tensions.
In August, Norges Bank Investment Management, which manages Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, announced it had sold its stake in five Israeli banks.
The decision was made due to “an unacceptable risk that the companies contribute to serious violations of the rights of individuals in situations of war and conflict,” the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund said in a statement. It previously divested from 17 Israeli companies with a total portfolio value of $143.3 million.
Against this backdrop, BYD, XPeng and Chery have been leading new energy vehicle (NEV) sales in 2025.
Chinese Brands Dominate
Chinese automakers accounted for 82.1% of all electric vehicle sales in Israel in the first ten months of 2025, totaling 43,177 units.
The brands present include Geely and its sub-brands Polestar, Zeekr and Lynk & Co, as well as BYD, Chery, XPeng, Deepal, SAIC Group’s IM Motors, MG and Maxus, among others.
While 2024 saw modest sales from Chinese brands in Israel, the first eleven months of 2025 marked a significant increase in their market relevance.
Nio has quietly built a small but notable presence in the Israeli market, registering 205 vehicles in the first eleven months of 2025 — its first full year since officially launching in the country in November 2024.
The figure places Israel second only to Germany among Nio‘s international markets, where the Shanghai-headquartered EV maker registered 236 units between January 1 and November 30.
Delek Motors Partnership
Nio‘s Israeli operations are handled by Delek Motors, one of the country’s largest vehicle distributors and the importer of brands including Ford and BMW.
Delek began importing Nio vehicles indirectly from Norway in 2023.
In summer 2024, the company was granted the official brand concession, becoming the brand’s’s first dealership partner globally.
“Delek Motors began importing Nio vehicles to Israel in 2023 as an indirect importer, and has supported the premium brand’s market penetration process with five select models,” the distributor states on its website.
The company also says it plans to deploy Nio‘s battery swap stations across the country, though no station openings have been announced.
“At the same time, Delek Motors has embarked on a project to deploy Nio battery replacement stations nationwide,” Delek states.
Showroom Expansion Stalls
When Nio opened its first showroom in Herzliya, a city within the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, in late 2024, the company said it planned to open two more locations “in the near future.”
A year later, the expansion has stalled.
According to Nio‘s Israeli website, only one Nio House remains available.
The showroom currently offers three models: the ET5 sedan and two SUVs, the EL6 and the three-row EL8.
The EL7 mid-size SUV, which was available at launch, has been removed from the market.
All vehicles offered are from Nio‘s second-generation platform, released in 2022 and 2023. The third-generation ES8, which has become Nio’s best-selling model in China, is not yet available in Israel.
Pricing
The ET5 sedan starts at 255,000 NIS ($79,300), while the five-seat EL6 SUV is priced from 299,000 NIS ($93,000).
The second-generation EL8 starts at 594,900 NIS ($185,000), positioning it at the high end of the Israeli EV market.
Monthly Registration Trends
Nio‘s Israeli registrations have been highly volatile due to the logistical challenges of shipping vehicles from China to international markets.
January 2025 saw 44 registrations, followed by just one unit in February and 17 in March, bringing first-quarter figures to 62 units. The second quarter recorded only three registrations.
September marked a monthly record with 72 units, followed by 65 in October. November saw no registrations.
The fluctuations are common for Nio‘s international operations, as all vehicles sold outside China are shipped from the company’s manufacturing plants in Hefei.
