The automotive landscape is witnessing a dramatic shift, with Nio’s sub-brand Onvo gaining significant traction in the market. In October, Onvo set a new monthly delivery record by dispatching 17,342 vehicles, largely propelled by the success of its L90 SUV.
Earlier in the year, Onvo faced challenges with lackluster sales, but the introduction of the L90 SUV has revitalized the brand. Since its launch in late July, the model has rapidly become a bestseller, accounting for 11,776 of the October sales and reaching 30,000 units in just 86 days.
Monthly deliveries for Onvo have soared past 15,000 since August, with the L90 consistently making up more than 10,000 of these figures. As a result, Onvo has emerged as the top-selling brand within the Nio Group, surpassing other brands such as Nio’s premium line and the newcomer Firefly for three consecutive months.
From Setbacks to Success
Onvo’s remarkable turnaround comes after a challenging start in 2025. Their debut model, the L60, initially saw strong sales with over 10,000 units delivered in December 2024, but the momentum did not last. The following months witnessed a significant decline, with deliveries plummeting to just over 4,000 units in February and March.
According to former Onvo chief Alan Ai, the brand faced “accelerated” order cancellations as they struggled to meet year-end delivery demands, compounded by delays in battery supply from BYD. Acknowledging these issues, Nio’s CEO William Li stated that a third battery supplier had been brought in to alleviate these bottlenecks.
Leadership and Strategic Shifts
The setbacks led to a management overhaul, with Li admitting that initial performance “didn’t meet expectations.” Following the resignation of Alan Ai, Fen Shei took over leadership, stabilizing sales figures before the L90’s launch spurred Onvo’s resurgence.
The L90 SUV: Catalyst for Change
Launched at a competitive starting price of 279,900 yuan ($39,000), or 193,900 yuan ($27,000) with Nio’s battery-as-a-service model, the L90 quickly gained consumer interest. Morgan Stanley’s Tim Hsiao reported that the SUV secured between 30,000 and 35,000 pre-orders shortly after its debut.
The model’s success also influenced Nio’s market performance, with their U.S. shares more than doubling from April to October, driven by optimism surrounding the L90 and other new launches like the third-generation Nio ES8.
Product Expansion and Adaptation
In September, Onvo introduced a facelifted version of the L60 to sustain market interest, with the refreshed model now entering the market. The rapid refresh cycle reflects the competitive nature of China’s new energy vehicle market.
Plans for a five-seat L90 variant, the L80, have been postponed to 2026, as Nio focuses on enhancing production of its six-seat models, including the Onvo L90 and the Nio ES8.
Scaling Production to Meet Demand
To accommodate growing demand, Nio has expanded production at its Hefei factory and is seeking additional workforce support. The company aims to deliver 150,000 vehicles across its brands in the fourth quarter, marking a new delivery record for the third consecutive month.
Onvo’s resurgence highlights how a single strategic product can revitalize a brand’s market standing, underscoring the fast-paced dynamics of China’s competitive electric vehicle sector.
Original Story at eletric-vehicles.com