ES7 Renamed to ES8? NIO 2025 New Model Forecasts Roundup

At the end of March, NIO's flagship model, the ET9, began deliveries, officially kicking off the 2025 product year.

NIO ET9

According to its plans, NIO will launch a "three-pronged" product strategy this year, with its three brands—NIO, ONVO, and Firefly—collaborating to introduce nine new and updated models. These will cover various market segments and further expand the new energy vehicle market.

As the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show approaches, car enthusiasts have made predictions about NIO's new models this year based on available information. Below is a summary of the key points (for reference only):

1. The NIO NWM large-world model, originally scheduled for release at the end of April, has been delayed due to approval issues from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). It is expected to be fully rolled out in late May.

2. New front and rear AD blue lights (intelligent driving indicator lights) are being added to the exterior and may be made available to current second-generation models in the future.

3. At the end of April, the ONVO L90 will be unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show; in May, the 2.5-generation EC6 and ES6 will be released; in June, the 2.5-generation ET5T and ET5 will be launched; in August, the third-generation ES8 will be introduced; and the ES9 will be unveiled at NIO Day 2025.

4. The ES8 (originally the ES7 model) will be announced in August. Due to strategic reasons, it may ultimately be named ES8 or another name. The vehicle itself remains unchanged, offering large five-seat, six-seat, and seven-seat configurations to cover the current ES7 and ES8 models.

5. The third-generation ES8 is expected to be over 5.1 meters in length, while the third-generation ES9 will be over 5.2 meters. The third-generation ES6 will also be extended to over 5.0 meters.

6. The ES9 will feature a more advanced body ambient lighting design, such as illuminated side shark-fin details.

7. Regarding the 2.5-generation NIO ET5/ET5T, which is currently a major focus, confirmed features include a large horizontal screen, CDC, third-generation interior styling, HUD, new seats, and a column-mounted gear shifter. However, it will not include a panoramic screen.

8. All third-generation models will feature both horizontal and panoramic screens. The ES9 will have a single charging port with a dedicated adapter, while future third-generation models will revert to dual charging ports.

9. The 2.5-generation EC6, to be released in May, may be the last of NIO's fastback SUVs, as there are currently no plans for fastback SUVs in the third-generation lineup.

10. The Firefly model will have two configurations, with the "standard" version expected to be priced around RMB 90,000 after the BaaS program.