Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
As exclusively reported by EV on October 3, the electric vehicle maker Nio has held its launch event in the Middle East and North African region this Tuesday, October 22.
Earlier this month, Nio announced the formation of a joint venture with its major investor CYVN Holdings, an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm, to expand to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region under the name Nio MENA.
Mohammed Maktari, the chief executive of the joint venture, delivered a speech with Nio’s Product Experience Director Benjamin Steinmetz also participated in the event to introduce the three models that are now available in the region.
The company is arriving in the MENA region with its flagship SUV Nio EL8 (known as Nio ES8 in China), the coupe SUV Nio EC6, and the entry-level sedan Nio ET5.
Here’s the video shared this Tuesday by Nio MENA on Instagram.
Last week, the Shanghai-headquartered brand opened the first two pop-up stores in the Middle East, one at the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi and the other one the the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.
According to the specifications sheet, Nio has priced its flagship six-seater SUV, the EL8—marketed as the ES8 in China—at 359,900 AED ($97,990). The model comes equipped with a long-range battery of 100 kWh.
Financing options start at 4,800 AED ($1,307) per month over a 60-month term.
In China, the 100kWh variant of the model starts at 556,000 yuan ($78,170) while in Germany, where it was recently launched, starts at 82,900 eur ($89,970) for both variants — 75kWh or 100kWh battery.
The technical specification sheet does not indicate whether a standard range version with a 75 kWh battery, available in China and Europe, will also be offered in the UAE market.
The EL8 features dual motors with a total power output of 480 kW (653 hp) and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.1 seconds. The model offers a range of up to 510 km (WLTP) and is the company’s flagship SUV.
The EC6 coupe SUV, on the other hand, is offered at a starting price of 239,900 AED ($65,315) for the 75 kWh version, with monthly installments starting from 3,200 AED ($871) for a similar 60-month financing plan.
For customers opting for the 100 kWh version, the range increases to 550 km (NEDC), compared to 430 km for the 75 kWh model. With dual motors generating 360 kW (490 hp), the EC6 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.
When announcing the joint venture, the company also unveiled plans to establish local production, marking its first manufacturing plant outside China.
Last Friday, the EV maker said it is partnering with the United Arab Emirates’ largest telecommunications provider e& in the Middle East and North Africa regions.
In late September, Nio’s founder and CEO, William Li, revealed that the company plans to open its first permanent showroom in Abu Dhabi, branded as Nio Space, in November.
“Nio House in Abu Dhabi will open in November. I’m also planning to visit Dubai either later this year or early next year,” Li said during a media briefing.
The company is currently preparing to open a showroom at the Galleria Al Maryah Island, the second-largest shopping destination in the UAE.
The region’s first battery swap station is planned next to the Yas Marina Formula 1 Circuit.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
The post Nio Officially Launches in the MENA Region, Debuts EL8 Flagship SUV first appeared on EV.