NIO’s Third-Generation ES8 Nears 150,000 Deliveries in First Year

Strong demand for NIO’s flagship electric SUV continues to drive growth, helped by a broader lineup and rising interest in its five-seat variant 

The third-generation NIO ES8

NIO is set to reach 150,000 deliveries of its third-generation ES8 this week, as the large all-electric SUV approaches the first anniversary of deliveries. Yang Bo, Nio's head of user operations, announced the upcoming milestone in a Weibo post on Monday, without specifying a delivery date 

The third-generation ES8 went on sale in China on September 20, 2025, with deliveries starting the following day. If completed as planned, the model will reach 150,000 cumulative deliveries within 1 year. 

The model reached 140,000 deliveries at the Chengdu Auto Show on August 21. Reaching the new milestone this week would mean the latest 10,000 deliveries took about 1 month. 

The ES8 has become a mainstay of Nio's sales. Deliveries across the lineup totaled 11,001 in August, up 6.93% from July and exceeding 10,000 for the second consecutive month, according to China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.

In the first 8 months of this year, ES8 deliveries totaled 99,948, accounting for 62.21% of the main NIO brand's deliveries and 38.02% of NIO total.

The addition of a 5-seat version has broadened the ES8's potential customer base. The variant was launched on July 9, with deliveries starting the next day, expanding the lineup beyond its 6- and 7-seat configurations into the large 5-seat SUV segment.

The 5-seat NIO ES8

The new model retains the lineup's large body, measuring 5,280 millimeters in length, 2,010 millimeters in width and 1,800 millimeters in height. Its wheelbase is 3,130 millimeters, slightly shorter than the 3-row version's 3,250 millimeters.

With the third row removed, the model's cargo capacity is markedly higher. It features a 230-liter frunk and a 1,334-liter rear trunk, with maximum cargo space reaching 3,084 liters when the second-row seats are folded down. 

Interior of the 5-seat NIO ES8

NIO said the rear cargo volume is the largest in the industry, with loading capacity more than double that of conventional large SUVs.

The 5-seat ES8's second row is fitted with dual reclining seats supporting 16-point massage, heating and ventilation. The driver and front-passenger seats feature aviation-style zero-gravity seating with 20-way adjustment. 

At launch, the 5-seat version started at 382,800 yuan ($56,550), including the battery pack, 5.9% below the launch price of the 3-row version.

Under the BaaS (battery as a service) plan, the 5-seat version's launch price started at 274,800 yuan, with battery rental fees charged separately. 

The ES8 and the more upscale ES9 together recorded 17,480 deliveries in August, accounting for 82.55% of the main NIO brand's total and underscoring the importance of large all-electric SUVs to its sales. 

With the ES9, third-generation ES8 and 5-seat ES8 launched, NIO has built a product matrix spanning premium large 5-seat, large 3-row and executive flagship SUVs.

NIO founder, chairman and CEO William Li has said the 5-seat version will make the ES8 a more durable "king" of the large-SUV market.