NIO Stock Soars on ES8 Launch (Aug 2025)
A cheaper ES8 with Battery‑as‑a‑Service, the new L90, and improving deliveries have investors re‑rating NIO. Here’s what changed—and how to trade it.
What’s New
ES8 goes live with aggressive BaaS pricing
NIO’s refreshed ES8 opened for pre‑orders with a headline price that falls substantially when buyers opt into Battery‑as‑a‑Service (BaaS). Six‑ and seven‑seat Executive editions are available now, with an official launch in late September and deliveries beginning immediately thereafter.
L90 targets mass‑market scale
The L90 SUV expands NIO’s addressable market and is positioned to ramp into year‑end. Street expectations call for five‑figure monthly volumes if supply chains hold and pricing remains competitive.
Why It Matters
- Price optics: BaaS lowers upfront cost and highlights NIO’s ecosystem edge with battery swapping.
- Mix shift: ES8 + L90 broaden the portfolio beyond earlier niches, supporting scale efficiencies.
- Sentiment reset: Recent analyst upgrades and a broad market rebound amplify stock‑specific catalysts.
Delivery Momentum
NIO delivered 72,056 vehicles in Q2 2025, up mid‑20s percent year over year, with June pacing near 25k units. That trajectory, combined with the ES8/L90 cadence, supports the case for stronger H2 volumes.
Rivals & the China Price War
Chinese EV makers remain locked in an aggressive pricing cycle as domestic demand wobbles and export policies evolve. Against that backdrop, NIO’s swap infrastructure and BaaS model aim to protect margins and stickiness. Tesla’s China unit remains a benchmark on volumes and brand, but softer second‑quarter retail sales underscore how sentiment can swing with policy headlines and local preferences.
Trading Playbook
1) Event‑Driven Setups
- Pre‑order/launch windows: Watch for Opening Gap and Volatility Band setups around ES8 and L90 milestones; let the initial impulse print, then stalk the first pullback to anchored VWAP.
- Delivery updates (monthly/quarterly): Favor confirmation entries when order flow aligns with volume beats or margin commentary.
2) Relative Value
- Map NIO vs. TSLA, BYD, LI, XPEV on intraday strength/weakness; use pairs overlays to frame risk.
- Respect currency and tariff headlines; adjust size around macro windows.
3) Risk Management
- Fade euphoric spikes into multi‑day resistance; avoid chasing first prints.
- Use prior‑day value areas and liquidity pockets for stop placement.
Disclaimer: Educational content only; not investment advice. Trading involves risk.