Onvo, a sub-brand of Nio (NYSE: NIO) focusing on the family car market, has recently initiated pre-sales for its flagship three-row SUV model, the L90. This move signals the beginning of a direct competition with local competitor Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI).
The announcement of the L90 pre-sales took place at a technology launch event in Hefei, Anhui province, on July 10, where Onvo revealed that the official launch is set for the end of this month, with deliveries commencing on August 1. The starting price for the L90, which includes an 85-kWh battery pack, is RMB 279,900 ($39,000), a figure lower than what many had anticipated.
Additionally, under the Battery as a Service (BaaS) battery rental scheme, the pre-sales starting price for the L90 is RMB 193,900. It is expected that the price will further decrease at the official launch, a common strategy in China’s EV industry.
The L90 offers both six-seat and seven-seat options to cater to a wider range of customer preferences. Onvo also plans to introduce the L80 model in the fourth quarter, with indications from a previous regulatory filing suggesting that it will be the five-seat version of the L90.
The competitive pricing of the Onvo L90 positions it favorably against Li Auto’s six-seat flagship SUV, the Li L9, which comes with a starting price of RMB 409,800. This pricing strategy may present a challenge for Li Auto when pricing its upcoming Li i8 pure-electric SUV, slated for launch on July 29.
In terms of design and dimensions, the Onvo L90 measures 5,145 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width, and 1,786 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,110 mm. This places it in a similar size category as Li Auto’s EREVs, which are popular among Chinese consumers for their boxy SUV design.
On the technological front, the L90 boasts a 900-volt high-voltage platform, achieving class-leading energy consumption of 14.5 kWh per 100 kilometers and a range of up to 605 kilometers. The all-wheel-drive version of the L90 offers up to 440 kW of power and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.
Safety features are paramount in the L90, with standard inclusions such as nine airbags and advanced active safety features enabled by cutting-edge algorithms. The spaciousness of the L90 is highlighted by its large front trunk, capable of accommodating ten suitcases while maintaining a spacious six-seat configuration.
Interested consumers in China can reserve the L90 by paying a deposit of RMB 2,000, which also entitles them to benefits like a RMB 5,000 discount on the final payment and optional extras.
In conclusion, the Onvo L90 represents a decade of technological innovation aimed at catering to the needs of Chinese families. With its competitive pricing, advanced features, and spacious design, the L90 is positioned as a revolutionary choice for large families in the pure electric SUV segment.
