Nio, a prominent electric vehicle manufacturer listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), has recently filed for minor exterior tweaks for four of its popular models – the ES6 SUV, EC6 coupe SUV, ET5 sedan, and ET5 Touring. These facelifts are expected to be unveiled soon, as indicated by the release of a new regulatory catalog by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
The filing pages for the models reveal that the changes primarily focus on the front combination lamps and front and rear protection devices. One of the most noticeable alterations is the redesign of the front bumpers, particularly in the fog lamp area, which has been transformed from a triangular shape to a vertical bar.
Moreover, the EC6, ET5, and ET5 Touring models will offer an optional “Champion Edition” rear logo in English and introduce a new matte black exterior color. The matte black finish is typically associated with performance vehicles, hinting at potential enhancements in power for the “Champion Edition” variants.
Currently, these models are available in a single regular variant each, with starting prices ranging from RMB 298,000 to RMB 358,000. In 2024, these four models collectively accounted for 81.11 percent of Nio Inc’s total deliveries, highlighting their significance in the company’s sales performance.
During a live video stream on Douyin, Nio’s founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li, confirmed that the ET5, ET5 Touring, ES6, and EC6 models would undergo facelifts. These updates are part of Nio’s strategy to release new products or facelifts every quarter from the second quarter onwards.
The facelifted models will feature horizontal center screens instead of the previous vertical ones and will incorporate Nio’s proprietary Shenji autonomous driving chip. This indicates a shift towards advanced technology and improved user experience in the updated models.
As the public has the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes between February 20-26, Nio is actively engaging with its customers to ensure that the facelifted models meet their expectations. With these enhancements, Nio aims to maintain its position as a leading player in the electric vehicle market and continue to drive innovation in the industry.
