The annual China International Import Expo, co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai government, is the world’s first import-themed national expo.
(Image credit: Nio)
Nio’s (NYSE: NIO) flagship sedan, the ET7, has become the official vehicle of a major expo to be held in two months.
Nio today became the official car brand for the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE), and the ET7 will provide mobility service for attendees, the electric vehicle (EV) maker announced on its mobile app.
The annual CIIE is co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai government, and was held for the first time in 2018.
The event is the world’s first import-themed national-level expo and is an important platform for promoting international trade and cultural exchanges.
The sixth edition of the expo, which will be held from November 5 to November 10, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), will for the first time choose an all-electric vehicle as its official car, according to Nio.
This is for promoting low-carbon sustainability and fits in with Nio’s Blue Sky Coming philosophy, the company said.
The Nio ET7 is the high-end sedan of choice for corporate executives and high-net-worth individuals, and will bring a smart, efficient and green driving experience to the VIPs at this year’s expo, the company said.
In addition to offering the ET7 as the official car, Nio will also set up an exclusive battery swap station at the expo venue, according to the company.
Nio did not mention how many cars it will provide. The partnership could help it enhance its brand image as well as raise awareness about the ET7.
The ET7, Nio’s first sedan and the first model of its NT 2.0 platform, was initially launched on January 9, 2021 at the Nio Day 2020 event and saw its first deliveries on March 28, 2022.
During the second half of 2022, the ET7 was ranked in the top 10 of the China Passenger Car Association’s (CPCA) monthly ranking of sales of premium sedans with a starting price higher than RMB 300,000 ($41,220) in China multiple times.
The sedan saw its highest sales month in June 2022 when 4,349 units were sold. However, in 2023, sales of the model plummeted to less than 1,000 units per month, data monitored by CnEVPost shows.
Nio launched the 2023 ET7 on the first day of the Shanghai auto show on April 18, bringing more than 15 product updates and upgrades, but with the same price tag.
On May 19, the 2023 Nio ET7 began deliveries in China.
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