NIO's flagship store in Shanghai Tower is seen in this photo taken on Wednesday. Joint Press Corps
SHANGHAI — NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle maker founded in 2014, has established its presence in one of Shanghai's most iconic locations: the nation's tallest skyscraper and the world's second-tallest building.
Last Wednesday, the NIO showroom on Shanghai Tower's first floor was bustling with visitors exploring the company's smart electric vehicle (EV) lineup. On display were eight models, including the flagship SUV ES8, the coupe SUV EC7 and the mid-large SUV ES7.
Often called the “Tesla of China," the Shanghai-based EV manufacturer focuses on the high-end market, offering SUVs and sedans that can be priced higher than some Tesla models.
Near the NIO showroom in Shanghai Tower is NIO House, an exclusive clubhouse for the company's customers. This venue serves as a multifunctional space, offering coworking areas, a cafe and event spaces for occasions like birthday parties.
"From the first to the third quarter of this year, NIO led the Chinese market for pure electric vehicles priced above 300,000 yuan ($41,300), capturing over 40 percent of the market share," a NIO official told Korean reporters during a media tour.
One of NIO's standout features is its battery swap service, introduced in 2018.
This system allows drivers to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in a matter of minutes, circumventing the need for traditional charging.
Since opening its first battery swap station in 2018, the company has built 2,702 stations across China so far, completing 58.67 million battery swaps to date. On average, a swap occurs every 1.17 seconds nationwide.
A NIO battery swap station located in Shanghai, captured in this photo taken on Wednesday. Joint Press Corps
"A total of 895 stations are located on highways, addressing the increased demand during holiday traffic. While charging can take 30 minutes to an hour, our swaps take just three to five minutes," the official explained.
This approach not only saves time but also helps extend battery life.
"We take full responsibility for any battery issues, so customers don't have to worry about the battery during the car's lifetime," he said.
NIO is also prioritizing a user-friendly in-car experience by integrating advanced AI and cutting-edge technologies.
During the media tour, reporters were shown the interior of the ES8, a luxurious six-seat SUV equipped with NIO's Nomi AI assistant, which controls car functions and engages in conversation. Front passengers can put on AR glasses, recline their seats and enjoy 3D videos on a ceiling-mounted screen.
Beyond the domestic market, NIO has been increasing efforts to expand its global presence since entering the Norwegian market in 2021. The company now operates sales and service networks in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UAE and Azerbaijan.
"We plan to expand into 25 countries by 2025," another NIO employee said but declined to provide specific details about plans to enter the Korean market. "Although NIO focuses on high-performance EVs, we also place importance on customer diversification."