Regardless of not too long ago introduced tariffs on Chinese language-made EVs imported into Europe, NIO has formally launched its EL8 SUV abroad. It would initially be offered in 5 EU markets as NIO touts its dedication to gross sales within the area regardless of the looming menace of import charges.
NIO has been harnessing ten years of EV innovation because it was based in China. Its journey to right this moment’s rank as one of many world’s main all-electric automakers started with a flagship SUV known as the ES8.
Final month, NIO rolled its 500,000th passenger EV off its Hefei meeting line and, to mark the milestone accomplished a unit of the ES8 that began all of it. Since 2021, NIO has been increasing outdoors of its native China and into Europe, initially organising showrooms and providing check drives of its fashions, just like the EL8, in areas like Norway earlier than starting official gross sales.
At the moment, NIO sells 5 all-electric fashions within the EU, together with ET7, ES7, ET5, ET5T, and ES6. Nevertheless, on account of nameplate disputes, the Chinese language automaker needed to change the mannequin badges of its SUVs to “L” as an alternative of “S” so European clients may purchase an EL7 or EL6 as an alternative.
Regardless of the identify adjustments, these are the identical fashions produced in China and shipped abroad in rising numbers. Following an announcement by NIO this morning, its flagship EL8 (ES8 in China) has formally launched in Europe regardless of not too long ago introduced tariffs on Chinese language imports.
EL8 turns into NIO’s sixth EV to launch in Europe
In accordance with a submit on its Weibo web page this morning, NIO has formally launched the EL8 SUV in Europe, starting gross sales in Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark.
The refreshed model, based mostly on NIO’s NT 2.0 platform, was launched in China earlier this 12 months. It features a cockpit chip improve and two electrical motors that ship a most output of 480 kW and a 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 4.1 seconds.
The SUVs shall be supported by the automaker’s rising footprint of charging infrastructure in Europe. In accordance with the automaker, it at present operates 43 battery swap stations, 45 regional superchargers, and over 600,000 third-party chargers accessible to its clients.
NIO’s determination to launch a brand new EV just like the EL8 in Europe is fascinating, because the EU Fee introduced plans to impose tariffs on Chinese language autos by as much as 48%. In accordance with CnEVPost, NIO, particularly, is taking a look at 21% tariffs on all fashions imported into the area.
NIO has publicly denounced the tariffs however has expressed a sentiment of perseverance, vowing to proceed its enlargement in Europe, and the EL8 launch is a transparent signal of that daring resolve.
The EU tariffs are anticipated to enter impact on July 4, however some nations like Germany are preventing the charges, arguing that they harm native OEMs who export their European-built autos to China. No matter how the tariffs pan out, NIO seems unwavering in its quest to turn out to be a number one EV automaker in Europe.
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