Nio Stock Tumbles 6% In Hong Kong Even After Massive Delivery Jump — Here’s What The Market Is Missing

SHANGHAI, Feb. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NIO Inc. ; ; (“NIO” or the “Company”), a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market, today announced its January 2026 delivery results.

The Company delivered 27,182 vehicles in January 2026, representing an increase of 96.1% year-over-year. The deliveries consisted of 20,894 vehicles from the Company’s premium smart electric vehicle brand NIO, 3,481 vehicles from the Company’s family-oriented smart electric vehicle brand ONVO, and 2,807 vehicles from the Company’s small smart high-end electric car brand FIREFLY. Cumulative deliveries reached 1,024,774 as of January 31, 2026.

On January 28, 2026, NIO rolled out the latest version of the NIO WorldModel (NWM), which has been gradually delivered to over 460,000 vehicles equipped with the Banyan system, with updates for vehicles running the Cedar and Cedar S systems to follow. The release introduced full closed-loop reinforcement learning into assisted and intelligent driving, with the upgraded architecture comprehensively modeling both urban and highway driving scenarios to improve assisted and intelligent driving experience. In addition, smart parking and active safety features have been further optimized for smoother performance and improved user experience.

In January 2026, the Company’s cumulative deliveries exceeded 1 million units, marking another milestone in its development. Going forward, the Company will remain committed to investing in core smart EV technologies and further strengthen its battery swapping and charging network, providing smart EV experiences to a broader user base and shaping a sustainable and brighter future.

About NIO Inc.

NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO aspires to shape a sustainable and brighter future with the mission of “Blue Sky Coming”. NIO envisions itself as a user enterprise where innovative technology meets experience excellence. NIO designs, develops, manufactures and sells smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation core technologies. NIO distinguishes itself through continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, exceptional products and services, and a community for shared growth. NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, family-oriented smart electric vehicles through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the FIREFLY brand.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to” and similar statements. NIO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the websites of each of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “SEHK”) and the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about NIO’s beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following:NIO’s strategies; NIO’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; NIO’s ability to develop and manufacture vehicles of sufficient quality and appeal to customers on schedule and on a large scale; its ability to ensure and expand manufacturing capacities including establishing and maintaining partnerships with third parties; its ability to provide convenient and comprehensive power solutions to its customers; the viability, growth potential and prospects of the battery swapping, BaaS, and NIO Assisted and Intelligent Driving and its subscription services; its ability to improve the technologies or develop alternative technologies in meeting evolving market demand and industry development; NIO’s ability to satisfy the mandated safety standards relating to motor vehicles; its ability to secure supply of raw materials or other components used in its vehicles; its ability to secure sufficient reservations and sales of its vehicles; its ability to control costs associated with its operations; its ability to build its current and future brands; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in NIO’s filings with the SEC and the announcements and filings on the websites of each of the SEHK and SGX-ST. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and NIO does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.nio.com

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Media Relations

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Nio Inc. shares slipped 1% in premarket trading on Tuesday, despite the company cutting delivery wait times for its third-generation ES8 SUV as China’s auto market enters a slower seasonal period.

Customers ordering the ES8 now face an estimated delivery window of 13-14 weeks, roughly half the 24–26 weeks seen at launch in September, according to a report by CnEVPost. The wait time has steadily declined over recent months, easing from more than 20 weeks in October to 15–16 weeks last week.

ES8 Demand Strengthens Through Late 2025

Deliveries of the updated ES8 began on Sept. 21, with about 40,000 units delivered through the end of 2025. On Sunday, Nio announced the 50,000th delivery of the third-generation model.

Retail sales jumped in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising from 2,803 units in September to 6,703 units in October and 10,689 units in November before surging to 22,258 units in December, making the ES8 China’s best-selling large SUV for the month.

Nio Stands Out Amid China EV Slowdown

The delivery improvements come as China’s broader auto market weakens early in the year. From Jan. 1 to Jan. 11, new energy vehicle retail sales fell 38% year on year and 67% month on month, while total passenger vehicle sales declined 32% year on year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association. 

The slowdown comes as buyers adjust to a new vehicle purchase tax and wait for trade-in subsidies to kick in, with demand also expected to stay muted ahead of the Spring Festival holiday in mid-February.

However, Macquarie struck a more optimistic tone last week, upgrading Nio shares to 'Outperform' from 'Neutral' and raising its price target to $6.10 from $5.30, citing stronger-than-expected demand for the ES8 and Firefly models. The firm said volume growth of nearly 40% remains achievable in 2026, even as it trimmed targets for several peers.

Growth Outlook And 2026 Plans

Earlier this month, CEO William Li said the company is targeting 40%–50% annual sales growth across its three brands and remains confident it can reach profitability in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The automaker delivered 326,028 vehicles in 2025, up 47% year on year, driven by demand for the ES8 and Onvo L90. Looking ahead, Nio plans to shift its 2026 lineup fully to its third-generation platform, launch new models including the ES9 SUV, and expand further in domestic and overseas markets through a distributor-led approach.

How Did Stocktwits Users React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for Nio was ‘bearish’ amid ‘low’ message volume.

Nio’s stock has risen 13% over the past 12 months.

Shares of Chinese EV maker Nio (NIO) closed up 2% on Thursday after Macquarie upgraded the stock to ‘Outperform’ from ‘Neutral’ while also raising its price target.

The firm hiked the price target on Nio to $6.10 from $5.30. The new price target represents a potential upside of about 31% from the stock’s closing price on Thursday.

What’s Behind The Optimism?

Macquarie raised its FY26 volume estimate for Nio by 7% on stronger ES8 and Firefly demand. While the firm still expects to see margin compression and a larger net loss in FY26, the firm thinks volume growth near 40% is "achievable." This implies that Nio will be able to gain market share in a broadly weak market for Chinese EVs.

Meanwhile, Macquarie lowered its price targets on Nio’s rivals Li Auto (LI) and XPeng (XPEV). The firm lowered its price target on Li Auto to $15 from $17 and cut the price target on XPeng to $26 from $32.

For Li, Macquarie said that big cash discounts on extended range electric vehicles could slow topline momentum even as input costs rise and squeeze margins. It also noted that the company’s upcoming EV launches do not seem like major volume catalysts.

With XPeng, Macquarie thinks 2026 would be a transition year for the company as it boosts its portfolio with four new models in a slowing China EV market.

Nio Growth Picture

Earlier this month, Nio CEO William Li laid out an aggressive outlook for the company’s next phase of growth, including a targeted annual sales increase of 40%–50% and expressed confidence around achieving profitability in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The company delivered 326,028 vehicles in 2025, up 47% year-on-year, thanks to strong demand for its new ES8 and Onvo L90 vehicles.

How Did Stocktwits Users React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around NIO stayed within the ‘bearish’ territory over the past 24 hours, while message volume fell from ‘normal’ to ‘low’ levels.

NIO stock has gained 13% over the past 12 months. 

Chinese automakers with EU exposure will likely benefit the most from recent progress in advanced talks between China and the EU on price commitments for full electric vehicles, DBS analysts say in a note. The two sides aim to address subsidy concerns without relying solely on tariffs, DBS adds. Reduced tariff risks can enhance export competitiveness, improve profit margins and support international growth strategies amid softening domestic demand, DBS says. Companies including SAIC, BYD, XPeng, Leapmotor and Geely will likely benefit the most given their higher EU exposure. In contrast, domestically focused players like Li Auto and NIO may see milder effects, they add. DBS's top picks are Geely and XPeng, given their higher volume growth and broad mass-market product portfolio, the analysts say. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)

By Jiahui Huang

Chinese automaker NIO will enter the Australian and New Zealand markets this year as the company presses its overseas expansion amid intensifying competition in China's auto market.

NIO will likely launch its electric vehicles in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2026, said Chris Chen, NIO's head of global business, in an interview on Thursday.

The company is also entering the Thai market in March with a launch of its Firefly-branded vehicles, he added.

"We started expanding our business globally toward the end of 2024, with a focus on entering more overseas markets beyond Europe," Chen said.

NIO, like many other of its Chinese automakers peers, has been expanding aggressively overseas as demand in the local market slows. Also, competition in the Chinese auto industry is expected to intensify further with 119 new model launches in the pipeline for this year, according to Goldman Sachs analysts in a recent note.

Most of NIO's overseas expansion in recent years has been into Europe but it wants to broaden its reach this year.

The company kicked off the year by launching its first right-hand-drive model under its Firefly brand at the Singapore Motorshow on Thursday. Firefly offers small, high-end EVs and is positioned to compete against the brands such as the iconic Mini or Smart--a joint venture EV company established by Germany's Mercedes-Benz and China's Geely Group.

"Singapore is our first right-hand-drive overseas market, and it carries significant strategic importance for us," Chen said.

NIO's flagship batter-swapping technology isn't available to Singapore buyers yet as the company hasn't established its battery-swapping stations in the city-state.

"We're currently developing the fifth generation of battery-swapping station, which is projected to be launched in China in mid-2026," Chen said, adding that the company will also tweak its battery-swapping stations to meet standards in overseas markets.

Chinese EV makers have been using various strategies to expand overseas. BYD is known for giving customers high value for money while XPeng brands itself as a leading AI and tech company with advanced driving assistance features. NIO is trying to use its flagship Firefly brand to expand overseas by emphasizing its small size and advanced design.

"Our key focus for this year and next year is to use Firefly brand to enter more overseas markets steadily," Chen said. He noted that Firefly's small size was well suited to small parking spaces commonly seen in Europe.

NIO also aims to expand to U.K. and French markets and Europe will remain a key focus market this year, Chen said.

The company hasn't reached profitability yet but the company wants to break even on an adjusted basis in the fourth quarter of 2025. Chen said achieving this looks promising and the company's main goal for 2026 is to reach profitability.

For the third quarter of 2025, NIO's net loss narrowed to 3.66 billion yuan, equivalent to $523 million, from 5.14 billion yuan in the same period a year earlier. Its revenue rose 17% on year to 21.79 billion yuan.

Write to Jiahui Huang at jiahui.huang@wsj.com

By Jiahui Huang

Chinese automaker NIO will enter the Australian and New Zealand markets this year as the company presses its overseas expansion amid intensifying competition in China's auto market.

NIO will launch its electric vehicles in Australia and New Zealand this year, likely in the second half of 2026, said Chris Chen, NIO's head of global business, in an interview on Thursday.

The company is also entering the Thailand market in March with a launch of its Firefly-branded vehicles, he added.

The move comes as Chinese automakers have been expanding aggressively overseas amid intensifying competition in the domestic market. Most of NIO's overseas expansion has been into Europe and the Middle East.

NIO launched its first right-hand-drive model under its Firefly brand at the Singapore Motorshow 2026 on Thursday.

Write to Jiahui Huang at jiahui.huang@wsj.com