NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) said it will ramp up monthly production capacity of the new ES8 electric SUV to 15,000 units by December 2025, while preparing to launch the larger ES9 in the second quarter of 2026, targeting the 600,000 CNY (c. $84,300) premium SUV segment.

At a recent media briefing, NIO founder, chairman and CEO William Li said the ES8’s demand has exceeded forecasts, prompting its contract manufacturer to increase production. Even with the ramp-up, new ES8 orders are expected to face delivery delays until April 2026.

Li described the upcoming ES9 as a full-size luxury SUV positioned above the ES8. It will feature a 4-to-7-seat layout and a larger body, designed to fill the price and size gap between the 400,000 CNY (c. $56,200) ES8 and top-tier SUVs in the 600,000 CNY (c. $84,300) bracket.

The model aims to strengthen NIO’s image in the upper-luxury segment. On the commercial side, NIO’s December production target of 15,000 units represents a major jump from October’s 10,000 units.

Li said customers whose ES8 vehicles are not yet in production by the ES9’s release may convert their orders to the new model, adding that the ES9 will carry higher margins.

The current ES8 runs on NIO’s 900 V high-voltage platform and supports battery swapping through the company’s Power Swap Stations network.

Source: NIO

Although full technical details of the ES9 remain undisclosed, it is expected to share the same 900 V architecture and large-capacity battery pack of about 102 kWh, delivering a similar range to the ES8 of roughly 635 km (395 miles).

The ES9’s market positioning at around 600,000 CNY (c. $84,300) puts it in direct competition with the AITO M9, ZEEKR 9X and Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV.

NIO’s choice to allow ES8 order conversions may be a bid to retain customers within its ecosystem rather than risk defection to rivals.

NIO’s 2026 rollout plan follows a “defend-then-expand” approach: the ES7 and Onvo L80 will reinforce its five-seat SUV base in Q1, followed by the ES9 in Q2 to push into the 4-to-7-seat luxury segment.

The company is also expected to update its ET7 and EC7 sedans later in 2026, completing a broad premium model upgrades.

How effectively NIO can translate this multi-brand strategy into higher market share will determine whether 2026 becomes its long-planned “breakthrough year” in China’s upper-luxury EV segment.

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