Nio says its third-generation ES8 large electric SUV will hit 110,000 deliveries this week, just weeks after crossing the 100,000 mark. The milestone suggests May deliveries will likely top 10,000 units again, while the model continues to account for a major share of Nio’s total sales and support the company’s turnaround.
Nio is preparing to deliver the 110,000th unit of its third-generation ES8 this week, a sign that the large electric SUV continues to post strong sales in China’s crowded premium EV market.
The update came from Yang Bo, Nio’s head of user operations, who hinted at the milestone in a Weibo post on Monday. He thanked owners for their support and said the company would keep pushing ahead.
From 100,000 to 110,000 in less than a month
The company delivered the 100,000th third-generation ES8 on April 23, just ahead of the Beijing Auto Show. That means the model reached six figures in only 215 days after deliveries started, reflecting unusually strong demand for a high-end domestic EV SUV.
With the next milestone now imminent, the ES8’s monthly deliveries appear set to rise above 10,000 units again in May.
The ES8 remains a major driver of Nio’s sales
The updated ES8 has become one of Nio’s most important products. In April, it delivered 13,028 units, accounting for 44.38% of Nio Inc’s total monthly deliveries, based on data compiled by CnEVPost.
For the first quarter, the model delivered 45,185 vehicles, or 54.14% of Nio’s total deliveries in the period. Nio as a whole delivered 83,465 vehicles in Q1, above the top end of its guidance range of 80,000 to 83,000 units.
The ES8 starts at 406,800 yuan, or about $59,740 at the exchange rate cited in the source. That places it among the most expensive offerings from Chinese automakers, which makes its sales performance especially notable.
Why the model matters to Nio’s turnaround
The commercial strength of the revamped ES8 has been a key part of Nio’s recent improvement in results. The company says this helped it reach its first-ever quarterly profit in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Nio is scheduled to report unaudited first-quarter results before U.S. markets open on May 21. Investors will likely focus on whether the company can sustain its momentum through a seasonally weak first quarter for China’s auto market.
More product launches are expected to support growth
Nio has been leaning on a broader product rollout to keep sales moving higher. Its sub-brand Onvo has begun nationwide deliveries of the L80, a large five-seat SUV.
Founder and CEO William Li previously said he expected deliveries to recover steadily in May and June, helped by strategic new models including the Nio ES9 and the Onvo L80. The ES9 entered pre-sales on April 9 and is scheduled for an official launch on May 27, with a pre-sales starting price of 528,000 yuan including the battery pack.
To keep the ES8 competitive, Nio extended purchase incentives in May, including zero down payment and interest-free financing. Those offers suggest the company is working to preserve demand for one of its most important high-margin vehicles.
Context: what the milestone signals
The ES8’s sales trajectory shows how important one successful model can be for an EV maker’s finances. In Nio’s case, the SUV is not just a volume contributor; it also appears to be central to the company’s premium positioning and profitability ambitions.
If the ES8 continues to deliver at this pace, it could help Nio strengthen its revenue base while new models such as the ES9 and Onvo L80 broaden the lineup. For now, the next milestone is proof that the updated ES8 remains one of the strongest performers in Nio’s portfolio.
Why This Matters
The third-generation ES8 is doing more than generating sales volume. It is helping Nio improve its financial performance, support margin recovery, and prove that demand still exists for premium Chinese EVs despite a highly competitive market.
The model’s pace also matters because it gives investors a live read on Nio’s ability to sustain momentum between major product launches. With first-quarter results due on May 21 and new vehicles arriving soon, the ES8’s performance will help shape expectations for the rest of 2026.
Key Specs
- Model: Nio third-generation ES8
- Vehicle type: Large electric SUV
- Upcoming delivery milestone: 110,000 units this week
- 100,000-unit milestone reached: April 23, 2026
- Time to 100,000 deliveries: 215 days
- April 2026 deliveries: 13,028 units
- Share of Nio deliveries in April: 44.38%
- Q1 2026 ES8 deliveries: 45,185 units
- Share of Nio deliveries in Q1: 54.14%
- Q1 2026 total Nio deliveries: 83,465 units
- Q1 guidance: 80,000 to 83,000 units
- Starting price: 406,800 yuan (about $59,740)
- May incentives: Zero down payment and interest-free financing
- Onvo L80: Nationwide deliveries have begun
- Nio ES9 pre-sales started: April 9
- Nio ES9 launch date: May 27
- ES9 pre-sales starting price: 528,000 yuan including battery pack
- Exchange rate used: $1 = 6.8099 yuan
Source: CNEVposts
