Nio is on track to deliver its 140,000th third-generation ES8 this week, marking a significant milestone for the popular large electric SUV. The recent launch of a 5-seat version has played a key role in sustaining strong delivery numbers, with July seeing a return to over 10,000 units delivered.
Rapid Growth Driven by New 5-Seat Variant
Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO) is set to surpass 140,000 cumulative deliveries of the third-generation ES8 this week. The company reached 130,000 deliveries on July 22, just 305 days after the first ES8 was handed over to customers. The latest 10,000 units were delivered in about one month, reflecting a steady pace of around 10,000 units per month.
A major factor behind this momentum is the introduction of the 5-seat ES8, which was launched on July 9, with deliveries beginning the next day. This new variant has helped unlock additional demand, complementing the existing 6-seat and 7-seat versions, which had already surpassed 100,000 cumulative deliveries before the 5-seat model’s debut.
Strong July Performance and Customer Loyalty
In July, ES8 deliveries climbed to 10,288 units, a 14.68% increase from June’s 8,969 units. The June figure had ended a streak of seven consecutive months with more than 10,000 deliveries. For the first seven months of 2026, ES8 deliveries totaled 88,947 units, representing a more than 20-fold increase compared to the same period last year.
A recent survey by market researcher Land Roads found the ES8 achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 85.3, the highest among battery electric vehicles in China. The survey also revealed that 57.3% of ES8 owners placed an order after experiencing the vehicle, without comparing it to other models.
Pricing and Financial Impact
The 5-seat ES8 starts at $56,722 (~AUD 80,073) including the battery pack, which is about $3,556 (~AUD 5,020), or 5.9%, less than the 3-row versions. For customers opting for Nio’s battery as a service (BaaS) plan, the starting price drops to $40,719 (~AUD 57,482).
In July, the Nio main brand recorded an average transaction price of $64,398 (~AUD 90,908), generating approximately $1.3B (~AUD 1.8B) in revenue based on delivery volume. The ES8 and the ES9 executive flagship, which launched in May with a starting price of $73,793 (~AUD 104,170), together delivered 16,603 units in July, accounting for 83% of the Nio main brand’s deliveries.
Why this matters
The rapid growth in ES8 deliveries highlights strong demand for Nio’s large electric SUVs, particularly following the introduction of the more affordable 5-seat variant. High customer loyalty and strong sales performance are contributing to Nio’s financial health and market position.
With the ES8 and ES9 making up the majority of Nio’s deliveries, the company is reinforcing its presence in the premium electric SUV segment in China.
What this means for buyers
Buyers interested in a premium electric SUV now have more options with the ES8’s 5-seat variant, which offers a lower entry price compared to the 3-row models. The strong customer satisfaction scores and robust delivery numbers suggest continued support and popularity for the ES8 in the Chinese market.
Key Specs
- 5-Seat ES8 Starting Price (with battery): $56,722 (~AUD 80,073)
- 5-Seat ES8 Starting Price (BaaS plan): $40,719 (~AUD 57,482)
- 3-Row ES8 Price Difference: $3,556 (~AUD 5,020) higher than 5-seat
- ES8 Deliveries in July: 10,288 units
- ES8 Deliveries in June: 8,969 units
- Cumulative ES8 Deliveries (as of this week): 140,000 units
- ES8 Net Promoter Score (NPS): 85.3
- Nio Main Brand Average Transaction Price (July): $64,398 (~AUD 90,908)
Source
Images sourced from: electrive.com, arenaev.com, vwvortex.com
