Nio‘s sub-brand Onvo will release a “major iteration” of its pure-vision driver assistance system in 2026, brand chief said, seeking to reassure existing owners as the company prepares to launch a LiDAR-equipped version of its L90 SUV.
“Version 2.1.0 was just a new version we released in 2025,” Fei Shen said during an offline session in China.
“In 2026, I believe — and we definitely have plans — the version after Spring Festival will also have some major iterations. Everyone can rest assured,” Onvo‘s chief added.
The comments about Onvo‘s driver assistance strategy come days after it became known last week that the brand would add LiDAR sensors to the L90, a shift from the vision-based approach the sub-brand had promoted since launch in 2024.
LiDAR Confirmation
A regulatory filing published last week by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology provided the first official look at the LiDAR-equipped L90, showing the model will incorporate a sensor unit at the front center of the roof, similar to Nio vehicles.
Neither of Onvo‘s currently available models — the L60 compact SUV and L90 three-row SUV — includes LiDAR sensors, unlike Nio‘s premium brand which offers the technology as standard.
Shen addressed the addition for the first time on Weibo following the MIIT disclosure, confirming the LiDAR variant would launch in the second quarter and be priced higher than current versions.
“Pure-vision version owners don’t need to have any concerns — the pure-vision version already has over 100,000 users, and we will continue selling it,” Shen wrote. “We will also continue to upgrade via OTA.”
The Weibo comment was the only time an Onvo executive had publicly addressed the LiDAR addition until Shen’s latest remarks at the user event.
As of Monday, Onvo has not disclosed details on the decision to switch from its vision-plus-radar approach to a LiDAR sensor suite as used by the core Nio brand.
Software Updates
Shen noted that Onvo released its Coconut 2.1.0 software update in late December, adding end-to-end urban navigation assist capabilities.
“Not only with richer features, but also with an improved sense of reassurance,” Shen wrote on Weibo regarding the update.
The 2026 major iteration, planned for after the Spring Festival holiday in mid-February, would build on that foundation for pure-vision vehicles.
Strategy Shift
The LiDAR addition marks a departure from the strategy Onvo outlined when it launched the L90 in July.
“With a vision to ‘Relieve Stress, Reduce Accidents,’ Onvo Smart Driving, built upon Nio‘s expertise in smart driving data and algorithms, has accompanied users across more than 100 million kilometers, easing driving stress for over 1.2 million hours,” the company said at the time.
“This year, all Onvo models will switch to the smart driving solution based on the end-to-end foundation model, achieving simpler driving, easier parking, and enhanced safety,” the brand added in July.
Sales Decline
The technology upgrade comes as L90 deliveries have fallen to their lowest level since the model’s launch.
According to China Passenger Car Association data and figures disclosed by Nio CEO William Li, Onvo delivered approximately 4,175 L90 units in December — a 30% sequential decline from November and down 64% from October’s peak of 11,722 units.
Li said in a letter to the media earlier this month that the L90 “recorded 43,439 cumulative deliveries within five months of launch,” claiming that the model became the “champion among large pure-electric SUVs.”
Upcoming Models
Images from the MIIT filing also revealed a new dual-tone body option for the L90, following a strategy Nio employed with limited editions of its flagship ET9 sedan.
The rear badge on vehicles shown in the filing reads either “L90” or “L80,” suggesting the upcoming L80 — a five-seat version of the L90 — may also feature LiDAR when it launches later this year.
The L80 was originally scheduled for late 2025 but was postponed as Nio focused on production ramp-ups.
Onvo’s Launch
Nio launched Onvo on May 15, 2024 — China’s Family Day — reflecting the sub-brand’s family-oriented positioning.
The company unveiled the L60, a five-seat SUV designed to compete with the Tesla Model Y, China’s best-selling vehicle which was revamped globally in 2025.
Deliveries of the L60 began in September 2024.
The brand reached 100,000 cumulative deliveries in October and contributed 107,808 units to Nio Group‘s 326,028 total deliveries for the full year.
Budget Constraints
During the user event, Shen also addressed Nio Group‘s financial pressures, acknowledging uncertainty over Spring Festival battery swap policies for Onvo customers.
In recent years, Nio has offered battery swaps performed during the travel period to its customers. However, a policy for 2026 has not yet been defined.
“Because our situation — including Onvo and the entire group — is still very tight financially. We really haven’t discussed this topic yet, but we will definitely make some gesture,” Shen said.
“I will definitely discuss with the team about what the policy will be during the Spring Festival period — whether it’s a shorter duration, or waived fees, and so on,” the brand chief added,
On retail strategy, Shen said Nio Group will open multi-brand stores combining Nio, Onvo, and Firefly where economically viable.
“If the three brands combined can be profitable, and the brand momentum and image would be somewhat better together, then we’ll open some stores like this,” Shen said. “But this doesn’t mean Onvo won’t open its own stores. As long as we can be independently profitable, whether it’s a 100, 200, or 300 ping store in a shopping mall, we’ll open it.”
Solid-State Batteries
Shen also weighed in on solid-state battery technology, citing CATL founder Robin Zeng’s assessment from last year that commercialization remains years away.
“He said that if solid-state batteries need to reach ’10’ before they can enter commercial application, he believes CATL has only reached ‘4.’ And he thinks others are definitely not as far along as CATL,” Shen said.
“So I personally believe that for solid-state batteries to truly enter commercialization, there is still some time needed. But whenever solid-state battery technology emerges, it will definitely be even more beneficial for the battery swap system.”
