Nio’s sub-brand Onvo recently made headlines for its collaboration with ride-hailing giant Didi, sparking widespread discussion and speculation. However, Nio has clarified that this partnership is not a company-wide initiative but rather an experiment conducted by a regional team.
A video circulating on Weibo earlier this week showed Onvo delivering several vehicles for Didi’s premium ride-hailing fleet, leading to concerns about the potential impact on Onvo’s brand image. In response to the controversy, a Nio spokesperson stated that the collaboration was a pilot test using Onvo L60 vehicles for high-end ride-hailing services.
According to local media reports, the team leader behind this initiative had previously worked at Didi and had connections within the company, leading to the decision to test Onvo vehicles in Didi’s premium fleet. This move was not intended to be a permanent partnership but rather an exploratory effort by the regional team.
Onvo launched its first model, the L60, in September 2024, targeting the mid-to-high-end price range with a starting price of RMB 206,900 ($28,800). The brand is set to introduce the L90 flagship SUV in the third quarter and the L80 large five-seat SUV in the fourth quarter, aiming for monthly sales of 25,000 units for all three models by the end of the year.
In May, Nio delivered a total of 23,231 vehicles, with Onvo contributing 6,281 units to the sales figures. The main Nio brand experienced a decline in deliveries compared to the previous month, while Firefly, another sub-brand, delivered 3,680 vehicles in its first full month of operation.
With Nio’s ambitious goals for Onvo’s model lineup and sales targets, the brand’s collaboration with Didi serves as a unique experiment rather than a strategic partnership. As Nio continues to expand its electric vehicle offerings and explore new opportunities in the market, Onvo remains a key player in the company’s growth strategy.
