Nio ES8

[Witchfinder]

This might be one of the first of the new generation of Chinese EVs to make it to North American and European markets.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/nio/es8/105145/new-n...

It's utterly hideous, but you can't argue with the tech, and the quality looks like it's good enough. I think it's a bit pricey at £50k equivalent, but it certainly beats the Model X on price!

[Witchfinder]

Yes, I think that's what gives Nio a bit more credibility than, say, Byton. Byton have a nice looking car, but these guys have actually built racing cars and built products. Hopefully this will be around £45k in the UK after grants. I think it'll need to be materially cheaper than the I Pace and E-Tron, even though it's a size class bigger.

Edited by Witchfinder on Sunday 22 December 08:20

[Witchfinder]

Robscim said:

But I do have to declare an interest and could hardly be described as "unbiased")!!

What interest?

[Witchfinder]

Interesting. I suppose you're not allowed to speculate on a likely price point. I think that's what will make or break it. I'm also not convinced by the weird face on the dashboard...

[Witchfinder]

I get the whole voice assistant thing, and buy into it fully. I don't think it needs a cutesy face to distract the driver. I think it'll polarise buyers and limit the market. But I guess Nio have done their market research.

The price sounds promising, especially if it broadly matches the model x on space, range performance, and technology.

Edited by Witchfinder on Tuesday 6th November 18:55

[Witchfinder]

Robscim said:

The current set-up is for China and they seem to love it. I guess it's a cultural thing. I don't know what they will do if/when they look to other countries.

Yes, that's my point. It puts me off what otherwise looks like a very competent car (despite some glossy/cheap looking switches and surfaces).

Robscim said:

The industry is changing!

If there's a staid, sluggish and overly traditional industry that's ripe for disruption, it's the motor industry. Tesla have done it already, and the likes of Google and Apple are eyeing it greedily. Nio and Byton are doing a great job, and can be agile because they're not hobbled by decades of investment in old tech, outdated dealer networks and rigid thinking.

Edited by Witchfinder on Tuesday 6th November 22:31