ES8 (NIO)

On June 6, J.D. Power, a research agency, released the 2024 China New Energy Vehicle Initial Quality Study (NEV-IQS).

The study is based on responses from 9,791 vehicle owners who purchased their vehicle between June 2023 and January 2024. The study includes 105 models from 48 different brands, among which 74 have sufficient samples. The study was fielded from December 2023 through March 2024 in 81 cities across China. Specific diagnostic questions include 236 problem symptoms across 10 categories: exterior; interior; drive experience; features/controls/displays; infotainment system; air conditioner; seats; powertrain; driving assistance; and battery/charging. The overall average quality of the vehicles is measured as problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), and a lower number of problems indicates higher quality.

The study shows that the number of NEV-related problems in 2024 has increased over 2023. The overall average quality of NEVs this year is 210 PP100, registering a significant increase of 37 PP100 from 2023, which is greater than that of 21 PP100 in 2023. The number of design-related problems has risen 35 PP100 from 2023, becoming the primary factor for the increase in overall quality problems.

According to J.D. Power, the competition in the Chinese NEV market is intensifying, with automakers constantly launching new models to capture market share. This has led to significant challenges in quality management as development cycles shorten. Automakers must prioritize user experience and perceived quality during R&D and focus on thoroughly validating high-tech features to enhance user experience.

The study also finds that the quality and design of range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) are exceptional and industry-leading; that problems with driving assistance and infotainment systems have increased significantly; that unpleasant interior smell and road noise remain top quality problems but have improved significantly; and that quality problems experienced by younger owners have increased year-over-year, with those concerning driver experience and battery/charging prominent.

In addition, J.D. Power unveiled 10 models that rank highest in their respective segments, namely, the Geely Panda mini (small battery electric sedan segment), the Geometry A Pro (compact battery electric sedan segment), the Aion V Plus and the BYD Yuan Plus (tied, compact battery electric SUV segment), the NIO ET5/ET5T (midsize battery electric sedan segment), the Audi Q4 e-tron (midsize battery electric SUV segment), the Zeekr 001 (large battery electric vehicle segment), the NIO ES8 (premium battery electric vehicle segment), the BYD Seal PHEV (mass market plug-in hybrid electric sedan segment), and the WEY Lanshan DHT PHEV (mass market plug-in hybrid electric SUV segment).

From a J.D. Power press release

On June 28, NIO announced that it officially started delivering the next-generation ES8 flagship mid-to-large-size electric SUV in multiple Chinese cities. The vehicle is available in three models, with prices ranging from CNY 498,000 to CNY 598,000.
Based on a next-generation high-efficiency electric drive platform, the next-generation ES8 is equipped with dual motors (180kW for the front one and 300kW for the rear one), with a maximum total output power of 480kW, a peak total output torque of 850Nm, a minimum 0 to 100km/h acceleration time of 4.1 seconds, and an intelligent 4WD layout. The vehicle is available in a 75kWh, 100kWh, or 150kWh battery pack, with a maximum combined range of 465km, 605km, and 900km under the CLTC standard, respectively.
The next-generation ES8 is equipped with the Aquila super perception system and the Adam super computing platform, and comes standard with a 12.8-inch AMOLED center console display screen, a new 16.3-inch head-up display, and 23 safety and driving assistance functions. Some models are equipped with an intelligent automotive fridge.
The next-generation ES8 adopts a double-shoulder-line design, intelligent multi-beam headlights, flatter window sides, and illumiBlade taillights, with a full and mighty vehicle body. The vehicle measures 5,099mm long, 1,989mm wide, and 1,750mm high, with a wheelbase of 3,070mm.

From NIO press releases 1/2, the webpage of the ES8, and information on the NIO website

On April 19, at the Auto Shanghai 2023 event, NIO debuted and started accepting pre-orders for the next-generation ES6, with official launch and delivery in late-May. Concurrently, the company officially launched and started accepting pre-orders for the 2023 ET7 flagship intelligent electric sedan, which is available in three models, with prices ranging from CNY 458,000 to CNY 536,000 and delivery to start in mid-May.
Positioned as a high-end midsize electric SUV, the next-generation ES6 adopts NIO’s latest design language that is both dynamic and pure, with Double Dash daytime running lights, LED matrix headlights, and illumiBlade taillights, presenting delicacy and a strong sense of technology. The vehicle features the NIO Aquila system with a watchtower sensor layout and a large 201-inch AR display screen, and realizes electric angle adjustment and a flexible 4:2:4 arrangement for the rear seats.
Also unveiled at the event were the NIO EP9 battery electric supercar and five latest models equipped with NIO’s 2^nd-generation intelligent system that include the ET7, the ES7, the ET5, the EC7 flagship intelligent electric coupe SUV to be available for delivery, and the new ES8 flagship intelligent electric SUV for all scenarios.
 
From a NIO official website press release, NIO official WeChat account press releases 1/2/3, and an English press release