NIO Stock Jumps In Hong Kong: Investors Cheer Aggressive ES9 Pricing And Onvo’s New AI-Powered L60 Push

• Nio’s ES9 launch became a major catalyst after the company priced the SUV below earlier pre-sale levels.
• Onvo unveiled plans for an upgraded AI-powered L60 SUV featuring Nio’s internally developed 5-nanometer automotive chip and new LiDAR-equipped variants.
• The refreshed L60 will debut at the Shenzhen Auto Show as Chinese EV makers increasingly compete around AI systems, autonomous-driving tech and software.

Shares of Nio, Inc. jumped over 6% in Hong Kong on Thursday as investors cheered the EV maker's China comeback amid strong demand for its ES9 SUV and a fresh AI-focused push from its Onvo sub-brand.

Nio’s U.S.-listed shares (NIO) jumped 9% on Wednesday, logging their best session in nearly two months. 

Aggressive ES9 Pricing Fuels NIO Rally

Investors have been focused on Nio’s new ES9 SUV, which is emerging as one of the company’s most important launches in recent years. The company surprised investors after pricing the vehicle below earlier pre-sale levels, marking an aggressive push to boost competitiveness in China’s crowded premium EV market.

The ES9 starts at 498,000 yuan with the battery included, while Nio’s Battery-as-a-Service model lowers the upfront purchase price to 390,000 yuan through battery leasing. The SUV shares several premium tech features with the company’s ET9 sedan, including Nio’s NT3.0 platform and 900-volt architecture, while delivering nearly 700 horsepower and advanced steering systems, ChinaEVHome reported.

Investor optimism got a boost after the ES9 generated over 50,000 pre-orders ahead of launch. Frontline sales staff estimated conversion rates above 50%, implying strong early locked-in demand. Nio founder and CEO William Li William Li called the ES9 one of the strongest-performing “9-series” SUVs currently competing in China, based on order activity and confirmed purchases.

Onvo Teases Smarter AI-Powered L60

Beyond the ES9 launch, investors also reacted positively after Nio’s Onvo sub-brand unveiled plans for a refreshed AI-focused version of its L60 SUV ahead of the Shenzhen Auto Show opening on May 29. Onvo president Shen Fei said that the updated L60 will officially debut and begin pre-sales during the exhibition alongside the broader Onvo lineup, including the L80 and L90.

The upgraded model is expected to introduce major hardware and autonomous-driving improvements, including Nio’s internally developed 5-nanometer automotive chip and new LiDAR-equipped variants connected to the company’s “Nio World Model” assisted-driving platform.

The rollout highlights how aggressively Chinese EV makers are now competing around AI systems, autonomous-driving capabilities and software ecosystems rather than simply vehicle pricing and design. Shen called smart EVs the convergence of electrification, intelligence and automotive technology, while positioning the new L60 as a key entry point into Nio’s AI ecosystem.

The current L60 launched in 2024 and offers up to 740 kilometers of driving range across multiple variants.

Shenzhen Auto Show Puts China EV Race In Focus

The latest developments come ahead of the Shenzhen Auto Show, which is expected to become one of China’s biggest automotive events this year after the record-setting Beijing Auto Show that ended earlier this month. Major Chinese EV makers including BYD, XPeng, and Leapmotor are also expected to unveil major products and technology updates during the exhibition. 

Nio has accelerated refreshes across both its premium lineup and the Onvo mass-market brand as competition intensifies around pricing, AI features and delivery growth. Onvo delivered over 5,300 vehicles in April, up 21% from a year ago. 

However, despite improving momentum in China, Nio still faces a tougher international outlook after the company reportedly said that major lineup refreshes and significant battery-swap expansion in Europe are unlikely before late 2027.

How Do Retail Traders Feel About NIO?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for NIO was ‘bullish’ amid a 55% jump in 24-hour message volumes.

One user said, “now profitable with solid manufacturing and BaaS capability that is not easily replicated. The premium high tech brand in China well positioned for that enormous market. Only one way for SP and it’s up in a big way.”

Another user said, “China’s EV war is evolving from “who can build EVs” to “who can scale premium ecosystems profitably.” And NIO seems increasingly willing to sacrifice short-term margins to secure positioning before consolidation arrives. 

Nio’s U.S.-listed shares have risen 56% year-to-date.

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