Nio October Deliveries Breakdown: ES8 Hits Record 6,703 Units, Driving Strongest Month Ever

Nio Inc. (NYSE: NIO), one of China’s most prominent electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, delivered a remarkable performance in October 2025, setting multiple records and marking a significant rebound in sales momentum. The company’s flagship SUV, the Nio ES8, led the surge, achieving an all-time monthly high of 6,703 units, more than doubling its previous record from 2018.

This achievement underscores Nio’s growing production capacity, improved logistics, and renewed consumer confidence in its premium EV lineup. Alongside the ES8, the ET5 Touring, ES6, and Nio’s sub-brands Onvo and Firefly contributed to a record-breaking month for the automaker.

In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll explore Nio’s October delivery breakdown, the reasons behind its surging success, the evolving competitive landscape, and what these results mean for the company’s future.

Table of Contents

1. Nio’s Overall October Performance: Record Month for the Brand

October 2025 marked a milestone month for Nio, as the company achieved its third consecutive record-breaking month in deliveries. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) and data compiled by CnEVPost, Nio delivered a total of 40,397 vehicles, combining its main Nio brand with sub-brands Onvo and Firefly.

Breakdown of Deliveries by Brand

Nio main brand: 17,143 vehicles (+2.92% YoY)
Onvo sub-brand: 17,342 vehicles (new record, +5.52% MoM)
Firefly EV: 5,912 vehicles (record high, +2.37% MoM)

This performance reflects Nio’s successful multi-brand strategy, designed to cover both premium and mass-market segments in China’s booming EV ecosystem.

2. ES8: Nio’s Flagship SUV Hits a Record 6,703 Units

A Milestone Achievement

The Nio ES8, a luxury SUV and the company’s flagship model, became the standout performer in October, with 6,703 units delivered. This figure shattered all previous records, representing:

A 797.32% year-on-year increase (from 747 units in October 2024)
A 139.14% month-on-month rise (from 2,803 units in September 2025)
A 102.02% jump over the previous all-time record of 3,318 units, set in December 2018

The ES8’s strong performance not only solidifies its role as Nio’s flagship SUV but also highlights the success of the recently launched third-generation ES8.

Evolution of the Nio ES8

First Generation (2018–2021)
The original ES8 debuted in June 2018, marking Nio’s entry into the mass EV production market. It quickly became a symbol of China’s premium EV ambitions.
Second Generation (2023)
The second-gen ES8 was unveiled at Nio Day 2022 (December 24, 2022) and transitioned to the company’s advanced NT 2.0 platform, offering better efficiency, range, and intelligent features. Deliveries began in June 2023.
Third Generation (2025)
The third-generation ES8, launched on September 20, 2025, represents a major technological leap. With improved design, autonomous capabilities, and powertrain efficiency, the model began deliveries on September 21, 2025, and saw immediate consumer traction.

CEO William Li’s Commitment

At the third-generation ES8 launch, William Li, Nio’s founder, chairman, and CEO, confidently announced that annual ES8 production would surpass 40,000 units in 2025, with December production alone expected to hit 15,000 units.

The October delivery data indicates that Nio is well on track to achieving this ambitious goal.

3. ET5 Touring: Second-Highest Delivering Model

The ET5 Touring, a stylish station wagon variant of Nio’s ET5 sedan, continued to hold its position as one of the brand’s best-selling models in October, delivering 4,526 units.

This represents:

A 5.11% year-on-year increase
A 10.34% month-on-month decline from September

Despite the slight monthly drop, the ET5 Touring remains a cornerstone of Nio’s product lineup, consistently ranking among the company’s top two models over the past several months.

Its blend of luxury, practicality, and performance appeals to urban families and professionals seeking a high-end EV with added utility and range.

4. ES6: Steady but Declining Year-on-Year

The ES6, another key SUV in Nio’s portfolio, delivered 2,976 units in October 2025.

While this marked a 1.57% increase from September, it represented a 54.01% decline year-on-year.

The ES6, once Nio’s best-selling SUV, has faced increasing competition from both domestic rivals and other models within Nio’s own lineup. However, its steady month-on-month growth suggests that the model still holds relevance in the mid-size premium SUV segment.

5. ET5 Sedan: A Modest Performer

The ET5 sedan, which played a pivotal role in expanding Nio’s customer base in 2023 and 2024, recorded 1,420 units delivered in October.

This marks a 30.46% year-on-year decline and a 1.46% decrease month-on-month, reflecting a cooling demand as buyers increasingly favour the ET5 Touring version.

Nonetheless, the ET5 remains important to Nio’s sedan lineup, especially as the company continues to refine its interior design and autonomous features.

6. EC6 Coupe SUV: Sales Decline Continues

The EC6, a coupe-style SUV, saw 1,045 deliveries in October — down 56.40% year-on-year and 3.60% month-on-month.

Once considered a sporty alternative to the ES6, the EC6 has lost momentum amid the growing popularity of Nio’s newer SUVs and crossovers.

Still, the model continues to attract niche buyers who value its sleek, aerodynamic design and performance-oriented driving dynamics.

7. ET9: Executive Sedan Gains Momentum

Nio’s ET9, its most luxurious executive sedan, saw a modest yet encouraging rise in October. The model delivered 127 units, up 41.11% from 90 units in September.

With a starting price of RMB 768,000 (approximately $107,830) including the battery pack, the ET9 represents Nio’s entry into the ultra-premium EV segment.

The sedan competes directly with high-end offerings from Mercedes-Benz EQS, BMW i7, and Audi e-tron GT, catering to China’s growing luxury EV market.

Though volumes remain low, the ET9 plays a strategic role in establishing Nio’s premium image and showcasing its technological capabilities.

8. ET7 and EC7: Sharp Declines Highlight Model Lifecycle Issues

Two of Nio’s older models — the ET7 and EC7 — continued to struggle in October.

ET7: Only 72 units delivered, marking an 85.06% year-on-year decline and a 47.45% drop month-on-month.
EC7: Just 16 units delivered, representing a 92% year-on-year decline and the lowest volume on record.

These numbers suggest that both models are nearing the end of their life cycles and may soon be succeeded by updated versions. Nio is expected to refresh these models with the NT 3.0 platform, which promises improved performance and energy efficiency.

9. Onvo Sub-Brand: Strong Momentum Continues

Onvo’s Rise as Nio’s Volume Brand

The Onvo sub-brand, designed to target the mid-range family market, had another impressive month, delivering 17,342 vehicles — its highest ever.

This marks a 5.52% increase month-on-month, surpassing the previous record of 16,434 units in August.

Onvo’s success is driven primarily by two models — the L60 and L90, both of which continue to gain traction among value-conscious consumers.

Onvo L60: Compact SUV Success

The Onvo L60, a family-oriented compact SUV, delivered 5,566 units in October — up 31% from September.

With its competitive pricing, range, and advanced in-car technology, the L60 has quickly become a popular choice for first-time EV buyers in China.

Its design and pricing strategy position it directly against the BYD Song Plus and Tesla Model Y, helping Nio capture a larger share of the mass-market segment.

Onvo L90: Sustaining High Volumes

The Onvo L90, a larger SUV model, maintained impressive sales with 11,776 units in October — marking the third consecutive month above 10,000 units and a 7.08% month-on-month increase.

The L90’s steady growth demonstrates strong customer loyalty and Nio’s ability to balance premium brand identity with affordability through Onvo.

10. Firefly EV: Consistent Record-Breaking Growth

Nio’s Firefly sub-brand, which focuses on smaller, urban electric vehicles, also recorded its third consecutive month of record-breaking sales.

The Firefly EV delivered 5,912 units in October — up 2.37% month-on-month.

This model caters to the entry-level EV segment, targeting younger buyers and smaller cities where compact, affordable electric cars are in high demand.

11. Nio’s Multi-Brand Strategy: Diversification for Growth

Nio’s success in October reflects the strength of its multi-brand approach, designed to capture diverse market segments:

Nio brand: Premium luxury EVs (ES8, ET9, ET7)
Onvo brand: Mid-range family EVs (L60, L90)
Firefly brand: Entry-level urban EVs

By segmenting its product strategy, Nio can tap into both luxury buyers and mass-market customers — a critical advantage in China’s increasingly segmented EV landscape.

This strategy mirrors moves made by legacy automakers such as Toyota (with Lexus) and Volkswagen (with Audi and Skoda), helping Nio scale production while preserving brand exclusivity.

12. Market Context: China’s EV Boom and Growing Competition

China remains the largest electric vehicle market globally, accounting for over 50% of worldwide EV sales. However, the market has become fiercely competitive.

Rival companies like BYD, Li Auto, Xpeng, and Tesla China continue to dominate the headlines. BYD, in particular, has leveraged its vertical integration and affordable hybrid options to capture significant market share.

Nio’s record-breaking performance in October demonstrates that the company is holding its ground by emphasizing technological innovation, superior build quality, and premium customer experiences.

13. Production and Future Outlook

With the success of the third-generation ES8 and the steady performance of Onvo and Firefly, Nio’s production outlook for the remainder of 2025 looks strong.

CEO William Li’s Vision

William Li has reaffirmed that production capacity for the ES8 will exceed 40,000 units by the end of 2025, while total company deliveries could surpass 400,000 units annually if momentum continues.

Additionally, Nio’s focus on battery-swapping technology, AI-assisted driving, and smart cockpit systems positions it as a leader in EV innovation.

14. Key Challenges Ahead

Despite the strong October performance, Nio faces several challenges:

Rising competition from domestic and foreign brands
Economic headwinds in China’s auto sector
Profit margin pressure due to heavy R&D and marketing costs
Dependence on premium segment sales, which can fluctuate with market sentiment

To maintain growth, Nio must continue optimizing its production efficiency, localizing its supply chain, and expanding its charging and battery-swap infrastructure.

15. Conclusion: A Defining Month for Nio’s Growth Trajectory

October 2025 stands out as a defining month for Nio, reflecting both its resilience and adaptability. The ES8’s record-breaking 6,703 deliveries mark a historic milestone, symbolizing Nio’s renewed momentum in the premium SUV segment.

The consistent performance of ET5 Touring, the growing dominance of Onvo’s L90 and L60, and Firefly’s steady rise all underline the success of Nio’s diversified product ecosystem.

With strong leadership, a clear technological roadmap, and expanding production capabilities, Nio appears poised to strengthen its position in China’s competitive EV market — and beyond.

If Nio continues this trajectory, 2025 may well be remembered as the year the company fully reasserted its dominance as a top-tier electric vehicle brand.