- Nio expects its third-generation ES8 SUV to reach 80,000 deliveries by late March as demand remains strong.
- The premium electric SUV played a key role in Nio achieving its first-ever quarterly operating profit.
The Nio third-generation ES8 SUV continues to gain strong traction in the Chinese premium electric vehicle market, with deliveries expected to reach the 80,000-unit milestone by late March. Company executives confirmed that order momentum for the flagship electric SUV remains robust, highlighting sustained consumer demand despite seasonal disruptions typically associated with the Chinese New Year period. The strong performance of the model has also played a significant role in supporting the company’s broader financial recovery and market positioning.
Sales Momentum Builds for the Premium Electric SUV
According to company leadership, the delivery milestone reflects consistent demand for the third-generation ES8 since its latest upgrade cycle. Following the delivery of the 70,000th unit in late February, the company now expects to surpass 80,000 cumulative deliveries within weeks. This implies that monthly deliveries are likely to again exceed the 10,000-unit mark, demonstrating continued market acceptance of the premium three-row electric SUV in China’s highly competitive large SUV segment.
Strong Orders Following Holiday Slowdown
Executives noted that order recovery after the Chinese New Year holiday has been particularly encouraging. The holiday period, which took place between February 15 and February 23 in 2026, traditionally slows vehicle production and dealership activity across China’s automotive industry. Despite these seasonal disruptions, the new ES8 continued to record solid retail sales, reinforcing its position as one of the most competitive premium electric SUVs currently available in the domestic market.
February Sales Performance Strengthens Market Leadership
Retail sales of the third-generation ES8 reached 11,260 units in February, according to company disclosures. This performance allowed the model to maintain the top position in China’s large SUV segment among vehicles priced above 400,000 yuan for the third consecutive month. The ES8 also led the country’s three-row large SUV market across all powertrain categories, highlighting its competitiveness not only among electric vehicles but across the broader luxury SUV category.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| February ES8 Retail Sales | 11,260 units |
| Share of Total Company Deliveries (February) | 54.14% |
| Q4 2025 ES8 Deliveries | 39,697 units |
| Starting Price | 406,800 yuan |
Key Contributor to Company Profitability
The strong performance of the third-generation ES8 has also contributed significantly to the company’s financial turnaround. The automaker recently reported a GAAP operating profit of 807.3 million yuan in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking the first quarterly operating profit since its founding. High-margin sales from the ES8 lineup were a major driver behind this milestone, as the premium SUV accounted for a significant portion of the company’s overall deliveries during the quarter.
Outlook for First Quarter Deliveries
Looking ahead, the company expects total first-quarter vehicle deliveries to reach between 80,000 and 83,000 units, representing year-over-year growth of roughly 90% to 97%. Based on these projections, March deliveries alone are anticipated to fall between approximately 32,021 and 35,021 vehicles. Continued demand for the ES8 is expected to remain a central factor supporting this growth trajectory as the manufacturer strengthens its position in China’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.
The continued demand for the Nio third-generation ES8 SUV demonstrates the growing consumer acceptance of high-end electric SUVs and reinforces the model’s strategic importance within the company’s product portfolio and China’s premium electric mobility landscape.
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