Nio stalls in Germany as its car registrations fall 93.6% in July
In contrast to its Chinese peers, Nio is struggling in Europe’s largest car market, registering just three cars last month and 18 this year
Chinese carmakers are gaining ground in Germany, Europe’s biggest car market. But Nio, the Chinese brand known for its battery-swapping system and premium electric-vehicle image, has registered just 18 cars there so far this year.
In July, Nio registered three cars in Germany, down 93.6 per cent from a year earlier. It was the third consecutive month at that level, leaving its registrations in the first seven months nearly 90 per cent lower, according to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) last week.
The weakness extends beyond Germany. Nio registered only two cars in the Netherlands in July, according to Dutch industry body BOVAG. Registration figures record the moment a vehicle is licensed, and may not fully reflect sales under subscription models.
A spokesperson from Nio said the company remains committed to developing its business in Europe, supporting its users, and strengthening its research and development capabilities and local presence.
“Nio has no plans to retreat from Europe,” the spokesperson said.
Beatrix Keim, director of Centre Automotive Research, a German automotive think tank, said Nio entered the market “too unknown, too high priced, with a strange system that was complicated, because the swapping stations were not set up, and later not in sufficient quantity”.