Chinese EV maker Nio is preparing to launch its new flagship SUV, the ES9, as the company looks to strengthen its position in China’s large premium SUV segment following the success of the new ES8.
At a recent user meet-up, the group’s co-founder and President Qin Lihong confirmed that the model will be unveiled in April, reiterating the timeline he first announced last month.
Additionally, Lihong revealed that the model will be launched “at the end of May” and begin deliveries in the first of June.
“For the ES9, we’re currently planning to hold the product and technology launch event around April 10,” the executive stated.
He added, “Then at the end of May, we’ll officially announce the price and bring it to market, with deliveries starting on June 1. That’s the general timeline for the ES9.”
ES9 Details
The first official images of the ES9 were revealed in an MIIT regulatory filing last month, along with the vehicle’s dimensions.
The model is expected to be the largest SUV in China, measuring 5,365 mm in length, 2,029 mm in width, and 1,870 mm in height, with a 3,250 mm wheelbase.
“Our small-batch production cars are already out on the streets — I’m sure many of you have seen them in videos,” Lihong added this week.
The Nio ES9 was first spotted road testing in China last October.
Nio‘s founder and CEO William Li confirmed to local media outlets late last month that the ES9 had completed the tooling trial manufacturing phase and began pre-production.
According to the President, “the ES9’s mass-production preparations are quite solid.”
“Like we did last year with the Onvo L90 and the ES8, we hope to build up some inventory before the official launch, so that the initial rollout has stronger momentum,” he added.
ET9 x ES9
“How should we understand the ES9? In terms of technical content, it’s essentially the full suite of ET9 technologies combined with a massive SUV body,” Lihong commented.
According to regulatory filings, the ES9 will feature three LiDAR sensors, Nio‘s AQUILA sensing system, and an adaptive ‘SkyRide’ chassis system, which enables automatic height adjustment.
The technology was first applied to Nio’s executive flagship ET9 sedan launched last year.
Lihong said that the company’s headquarters has recently been debating whether the ES9’s ‘SkyRide’ chassis should be offered in multiple trims.
Specifically, they are considering “some with it and some without, or whether all versions should include it.”
He noted that “each approach has its advantages,” explaining that “if there’s a version without the ‘SkyRide’ chassis, the price could be more affordable.”
However, he added, “as for pricing, we haven’t finalized it yet, so please be patient,” confirming that final pricing details will be announced at the official launch in late May.
In the same event, Lihong confirmed that full details of the upcoming Onvo L80 — the five-seat version of the L90 SUV — will be released in late April, with deliveries expected to begin in May.
The ES9 will take over as Nio’s flagship SUV from the ES8, which has held that position since becoming the brand’s first mass-produced vehicle in May 2018.
