NIO delivers keys to the first EL6 driver in Europe as EV maker expands overseas

Up-and-coming Chinese EV maker NIO handed over the keys to the first EL6 driver in Europe. The new electric SUV is expected to play a significant role in NIO’s overseas expansion.

The NIO EL6, known as the ES6 in China, has officially arrived in Europe. NIO renamed the electric SUV after a legal dispute with Audi, claiming the name is too similar to its gas-powered S6.

NIO launched the second-generation ES6 (EL6 in Europe) in May. The new ES6 is 4,854 mm (191″) long, 1,995 mm (78″) wide, and 1,703 mm (67″) tall. At that, NIO’s electric SUV is slightly bigger than the Tesla Model Y, which measures 187″ long, 76″ wide, and 64″ tall.

Despite only launching a few months ago, NIO is already seeing significant results from the electric SUV.

The ES6 has been the automaker’s top-selling model since launching as its least expensive SUV. Many see the ES6 as NIO’s most important model. The trend has continued with the new ES6, based on NIO’s NT 2.0 EV platform.

NIO delivers first EL6 electric SUV in Europe

After launching in May, the second-gen ES6 set a new YTD order intake record with nearly 30,000 pre-orders in three days. Then, in July, it broke the company’s monthly sales record with over 10,000 models delivered.

Now, the ES6 – or EL6, I should say – is arriving in Europe. NIO handed over the keys to the first EL6 driver in Europe on Tuesday. NIO evangelist Cláudio Afonso shared a picture from the event on social media with the caption, “The lucky couple! First NIO EL6 in Europe is now in safe hands.”

NIO also launched the ET5 Touring (ET5T), its first electric station wagon designed explicitly for Europe. The station wagon EV is expected to compete with premium German automakers on their home turf, like Porsche and BMW.

The EV maker kicked off ET5 sedan deliveries in Europe earlier this month as it continues its overseas expansion.