For Chinese electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts, NIO Day represents the most exciting and important date on the annual calendar. As NIO’s flagship publicity event, NIO Day offers fans and observers an exclusive sneak preview of the automaker’s latest innovations, vehicles, and strategies.
But when exactly is the next NIO Day extravaganza? What can we expect this year and beyond? Read on for a comprehensive history and insider’s perspective on everything NIO Day – from its origins to predictions for the future.
An Overview: What is NIO Day and Why Does it Matter?
Since hosting its first NIO Day in Beijing back in 2017 shortly after the company’s founding, the annual event has become ingrained in the culture of both the brand and China’s rapidly growing electric vehicle market.
For EV enthusiasts and industry watchers, NIO Day represents the best opportunity all year to gain insight into the automaker’s technological and strategic roadmap. The rare glimpses offered at NIO Day into the company’s R&D labs and vision for the future keep the anticipation building year after year.
The expert presentations, glitzy venues, new vehicle unveilings and fanfare have also turned NIO Day into a beloved tradition for existing owners. As CEO William Li stated leading up to the 2021 event, “NIO Day has become one of the most anticipated gatherings for users and friends globally celebrating innovations in smart electric vehicles.”
So when’s the next can’t-miss NIO Day coming up? Let’s explore the history and drama behind each year’sselection process and preview what we might expect for 2022 and 2023.
The Competitive Bidding Process to Win NIO Day Hosting Rights
Far more goes into site selection for NIO Day than just picking a random city and venue. In fact, competition between Chinese municipalities to land hosting duties has become nearly as intense as jockeying for the Olympics.
The current process implemented in 2020 designates major cities across China as eligible to place bids through their local NIO owner clubs. Whichever bid proposal comes out on top in voting earns the right to play host for a NIO Day event held sometime during a 6 week window from December 1st through January 15.
However, the bidding eligibility rules do restrict repeat appearances. Any city which has hosted one of the past eight NIO Days is excluded from applying again in the current year.
The documentation required for submitting a thorough bid is no small matter either. The organizers mandate venue walkthroughs, seating capacity requirements of 8,000+, and ten straight days of availability during the December-January timeframe.
With clear rules in place, let’s look at which cities have stepped up to win the attention and tourism associated with hosting this marquee event in electric transportation.
A Year By Year History of Past NIO Days
NIO Day has cement itself as a beloved ritual not only for loyal owners but also for fans of EVs in general. The excitement stems both from lavish parties celebrating innovation as well as product debuts shaping the future.
Let’s break down the themes and announcements that defined each annual event since NIO first welcomed the world to take part:
NIO Day 2017 – Beijing
Theme: “Blue Sky Coming”
Location: Beijing National Convention Center
Attendance: 5,000+
News:
- Debut of NIO ES8 electric SUV, the brand’s first volume production model after launching with supercar EP9
The inaugural NIO Day wrote the blueprint for what was to come. As just a fledgling startup with big ambitions, NIO wisely timed its first public event to coincide with unveiling a model that would prove critical to its survival.
Though known more for haze than blue skies, Beijing still made for an apropos backdrop welcoming the ES8 as a promise for a greener transportation future. Beyond the technology, NIO Day 2017 also previewed the blend of hope, hype and enthusiasm that still permeates every gathering.
NIO Day 2018 – Shanghai
Theme: “Together & Better”
Location: Shanghai International Expo Center
Attendance: 10,000+; 53 remote global screenings
News:
- Debut of NIO ES6 midsize SUV
- Demo rides in new 6-seat ES6 and 7-seat flagship ES8
- Unveiling of NIO EVE vision vehicle
In just its second year, NIO Day 2018 expanded in scale and buzz. The program doubled down on experiential enjoyment by giving test drives to 10,000 owners and fans gathered in Shanghai.
The introduction of the smaller 5-seat ES6 alongside the existing 7-passenger ES8 flagship marked the year tech innovations had to share the spotlight with strategic product expansion. Riding two SUVs to serve a widening audience proved a fitting embodiment of scaling “Together & Better.”
NIO Day 2019 – Shenzhen
Theme: “Believe in Better”
Location: Shenzhen Bay Sports Center
Attendance: 15,000
News:
- Debut of EC6 coupe styled SUV
- Performance of new NIO anthem sung by founder William Li and users
- Nomi mate X assistant bot rolled out
Rather than unveil expectations of smooth sailing, NIO instead chose its 2019 theme to acknowledge the turbulence experienced that year. From rollercoaster stock price gyrations to a painful industry wide slowdown, the year tested faith more than once.
But with tech hub Shenzhen playing host, thepositives shone through via the slick new EC6 coupe and charming Nomi bot promoting the brand’s style and innovation. Belief ultimately prevailed.
NIO Day 2020 – Chengdu (Postponed to Jan 2021)
Theme: “Always Forward”
Location: Chengdu Tianfu International Convention center
Attendance: New record of over 20,000
News:
- Debut of ET7 luxury flagship sedan
- 150 kWh solid state battery pack
- Second gen battery swap stations
- NT2.0 autonomous driving technology
Having to postpone its signature event from late 2020 to 2021 could have set NIO’s momentum back. But true to the resilient spirit depicted in “Always Forward”, NIO Day instead became bigger than ever.
Over 20,000 attended in person while 1.3 million+ watched online as CEO William Li anchored a true barrage of futuristic technologies with the luxury ET7 headliner stealing the show. By thinking ahead to what drivers want, NIO served up its biggest advancements when the world needed them most.
NIO Day 2021 – Suzhou
Theme: “Hello World”
Location: Suzhou International Expo Centre
Attendance: 15,000 physically present
News:
- Debut of ET5 midsize sedan
- Europe launch previewed
- Eco-friendly Blue Sky Lab architecture
NIO Day 2021 will be remembered for pulling back the curtain internationally. Following the fanfare of the ET7 sedan built for China, William Li returned by welcoming the “Hello World” with a second salvo.
This time Europe stood as the target market for NIO’s incoming fleet of EVs. The ET5 midsize sedan reveal foreshadowed economical 75 kWh and sporty 150 kWh variants tailored, but overseas launch plans headlined this outward-bound event.
NIO Berlin 2022 – Germany
Location: Berlin Tempelhof Airport
Theme: “A New Horizon”
News:
- In-depth demos of ET7, ET5 and EL7 SUV launching in Europe
- Announcement of Euro pricing and opening orders
- Focus on flexible subscription packages not ownership.
Rather than wait any longer to make inroads into Europe, NIO accelerated its hello by going directly to Germany. The aptly branded “New Horizon” event offered test drives of 3 imminent models now priced decisively for regional adoption.
The venue choice itself spoke volumes about the innovation on offer– transformed from historic Berlin airport into a vibrant tech & mobility hub. NIO left no doubts about intending to pilot European prospects into a sustainable future.
NIO Day 2022 – Hefei, China
After newly implemented competitive bidding between Chinese cities, emerging automotive powerhouse Hefei won hosting rights to present fans this year’s show. As home to NIO manufacturing plants and offices, Hefei’s selection signals a homecoming of sorts after heavy recent emphasis on European expansion.
An exact date remains unannounced as of late October 2022. But applying the timeline pattern from every previous NIO Day points squarely at another December unveiling party. A 6-week window between December 1 and January 15 leaves flexibility but zeroes in on the successor of 2021’s festivities.
NIO Day 2023 – TBD China
It may be presumptuous gazing further forward with over two months still before NIO Day 2022. But such is the eager anticipation for what annual themes, innovations or products get teased this far out.
Given the lead time required for Chinese cities to prepare bids, location selection happens remarkably early. We can reasonably expect the cycle to kick off again with host bidding running through June. By August fans could know the 2023 destination with dates again falling somewhere between next Christmas and the January that follows.
The Future: What to Expect at Upcoming NIO Days
Forecasting what news might break at NIO Day carries an annual tradition nearly as old as the gathering itself. After a half decade the event has come to epitomize not just flashy venues and parties but Commentators parse insider sources, supply chain intel and hints from past remarks to glean whatever edge possible.
Piecing together possibilities for NIO Day 2023 requires acknowledging key strategic directions expected in the nearer term:
- Continuing focus expanding across Europe
- Adding higher volume models priced under 300,000 yuan (~$42,000) critical for scale
- Increased targeting of younger demographics such as families
- Extending brand identity and lifestyle ecosystem via NIO Houses
Applying the above directional pillars points towards potential for:
- Debut of rumored EVB midsize crossover SUV, codenamed “Altair”, slotting below ET5 as high volume entry model
- Preview expanding NIO House footprint to 100 European and Chinese sites by end of 2023
- Introduction of NIO Kindergarten format and family community support
Of course part of thrill around this event comes from surprises that shock or delight compared to even the best sourced speculation! What we know for sure lies in the past traditions that won’t change:
- Candid insights into vehicle development from CEO William Li and team
- Celebratory gatherings creating shared memories for the NIO faithful
- Buzzing crowds eager to welcome what’s next from a company focused firmly on the future
The mystery and pageantry aren’t going away anytime soon. So mark the calendars for early December and let the countdown begin!
I hope you enjoyed this complete guide to NIO Day‘s origins and greatest hits so far. Watching this company grow from an ambitious upstart into a globally recognized automotive force proved only half the reward. The energy and excitement generated across millions with each successive unveiling or announcement kept me returning year after year.
Believe me, experiencing firsthand reveals that set the agenda moving forward never gets old! I welcome your thoughts or predictions down below on what news might drop at this year‘s NIO Day in Hefei. The planning is well underway, and I look forward to continuing the journey together!
