This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Nio (NYSE:NIO) rolled out its new third-generation ES8 SUV over the weekend at a glitzy event in Hangzhou themed Grow with the Light. The refreshed flagship packs plenty of punch: up to 697 horsepower, a 0100 km/h sprint in 4 seconds, and a 925V fast-charging system. Prices kick off at RMB 406,800 ($57,170), or drop to RMB 298,800 with Nio’s battery-as-a-service plan.
The company also surprised with the ET9 Horizon Edition sedan, which hit showrooms immediately alongside the ES8. To emphasize its lifestyle push, Nio tapped Hong Kong star Karen Mok as Chief Experience Officer for the ES8, blending celebrity branding with product rollout. At the same time, Nio hit a major milestone with its 3,500th battery swap station and noted that drivers have now completed more than 82 million swaps.
CEO William Li called 2025 a turning point, saying the convenience and quality of today’s BEVs now outweigh the hassle of charging. On Wall Street, Morgan Stanley said the ES8 brought sparkle back to Nio Day, while Bank of America bumped its price target to $7.60 but kept a Neutral stance, arguing much of the optimism is already priced in.