Nio’s William Li recently delivered an ET9 to ZF CEO Holger Klein, marking a significant milestone in the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker’s efforts to target corporate executives with its executive flagship sedan. The ET9, which was officially launched on Nio Day 2024, is Nio’s highest-priced model starting at RMB 788,000 ($108,000) including the battery pack.
Klein received the key to his ET9 from Nio founder, chairman, and CEO William Li at the Shanghai auto show on April 23, making him the first expat owner of the ET9. During the handover, Klein praised the innovation represented by the ET9 and expressed confidence in its potential success in the European market.
In addition to Klein, Nio also delivered an ET9 to Robin Zeng, founder, chairman, and CEO of CATL, and He Xiaopeng, chairman and CEO of Xpeng. The ET9 features Nio’s latest technologies, including the in-house Shenji NX9031 autonomous driving chip and the SkyRide chassis.
One of the key features of the ET9 is its steer-by-wire (SBW) technology, making it the first mass-produced vehicle in China to incorporate this innovation. SBW technology eliminates the mechanical connection between the vehicle’s wheel and the steering wheel, allowing for more precise control and efficient transmission. Nio completed the development and testing of the SBW technology after receiving mass-production approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The SBW technology in the ET9 appears to have originated from ZF, as Nio and ZF signed a strategic cooperation agreement in 2022 to collaborate on SBW products. This partnership marked ZF’s first SBW business partnership in the Asia-Pacific region.
Overall, the delivery of the ET9 to ZF CEO Holger Klein underscores Nio’s commitment to innovation and its strategic partnerships in driving the future of electric vehicles. With its cutting-edge technology and luxurious design, the ET9 is poised to make a significant impact in the EV market both in China and globally.
