Chinese EV automaker NIO shared its Q4 2023 report today, followed by an analyst call that included some interesting updates about its plans for the year, expansion to new global markets, and the launch of not one but two EV sub-brands, including Alps.
NIO ($NIO) will be celebrating ten years of business this fall and, during that time, has trended upward as one of the leading EV automakers in China. In addition to developing luxury EVs like the ET7 and incoming ET9 (with the ability to shimmy), NIO has expanded to other adjacent technologies like chargers, battery swap stations, and even smartphones.
From a market perspective, NIO continues to expand out of its native China to markets in Europe and possibly the US in a year or two. After garnering billions in fresh funding in 2023, NIO sat poised to continue such expansions, including two new sub-brands, codenamed “Alps” and “Firefly.”
Earlier today, NIO shared its Q4 report, detailing the ups (and downs) of a challenging year, followed by a call with analysts that shared updates to its plans beyond China and the progress of launching the Alps brand, which has its sights set on Tesla from day one. Here’s the latest.
Th new flagship NIO ET9 premium EV (Source: NIO)
NIO’s Alps brand to debut soon, first EV coming in Q3 2024
First, let’s start with the Q4 numbers. NIO reported RMB 17.1 billion ($2.38 billion) in revenue for Q4 2023, up 6.5% YOY but down 10.3% compared to Q3 2023. Gross profits for Q4 were RMB 1.28 billion ($177.8 million), up 105.7% year-over-year but down 16% compared to a quarter prior.
Losses were RMB 6.63 billion ($923 million), down 1.6% from Q4 2022 but up 36.8% compared to Q3 2023. Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investment, and long-term time deposits totaled RMB 57.3 billion ($8 billion) as of December 31, 2023.
The automaker delivered 160,038 EVs in 2023, up 30.7% compared to 2022.
Looking ahead, NIO looks to bounce back in monthly sales, which should be bolstered by the launch of its new sub-brand Alps. Shout out to CnEVPost for sharing live updates of the call with analysts following the Q4 financial report. Here are the key takeaways:
NIO will begin selling Alps EVs in 2024 and another lower-priced brand (Firefly) in 2025. The automaker is also considering selling these new models in other global markets.
NIO intends to sell both its own brand and Alps brand EVs later this year.
NIO EVs will remain focused on the premium segment and the ET5 will remain its most affordable model.
NIO brand will not join the ongoing price war in China, and Alps will prioritize deliveries over gross margins.
Alps has been specifically built to target the highly competitive Chinese market and will utilize NIO’s existing R&D and infrastructure rather than start with a clean slate.
The Alps brand EVs will vary to suit different size families and will be priced competitively.
Alps’ first model will be a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y, and its Bill of Materials (BOM) costs approximately 10% less than Tesla’s.
The Model Y competitor will be followed with an Alps SUV for larger families, expected to debut in 2025.
A third Alps model is in development, but NIO is not sharing any more details at this time.
Alps will officially launch in Q2 2024, with the Model Y challenger to follow in Q3 ahead of mass deliveries in China in Q4.
NIO believes as of now, Alps can deliver previously outlined cost levels but will begin with relatively smaller delivery volumes compared to NIO EVs. It is targeting about 10,000 units built per month.
Alps will have its own sales network of at least 200 locations but will share aftermarket service and battery swaps with the NIO brand.
Lastly, NIO said its immediate focus is on the Chinese market but will continue to explore expansions to other international markets. For example, NIO intends to enter markets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this year.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss how Tesla is now Elon’s after the shareholders’ meeting, Xpeng going all-in on AI, Rivian’s earnings, and more.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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Following the LEAF, the new all-electric Nissan Juke is next in line to receive a glow-up. The Juke EV was spotted for the first time rocking a new look ahead of its debut.
First look at the new electric Nissan Juke
Let’s be honest, the Juke wasn’t exactly what you’d call a head-turner. At least not for the right reasons. Nissan pulled the Juke from its North American lineup after the 2017 model year, replacing it with the Kicks.
The Juke is still Nissan’s second-best-selling vehicle in Europe, behind the Qashqai. As part of its up to £3 billion ($3.9 billion) investment to upgrade its Sunderland, UK plant, Nissan revealed plans to launch three new EVs: the LEAF, Qashqai, and Juke.
After launching the new, third-gen LEAF, Nissan plans to introduce the electric Juke in 2026 and Qashqai EV in 2027.
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With its official debut coming up, the electric Nissan Juke was spotted for the first time out in public. Although it’s camouflaged, you can already see that it’s shaping up to be a big improvement over the outgoing Juke.
Nissan Juke and Qashqai (Source: Nissan)
The images from Motor.es (you can view them below), reveal the EV version still has a profile similar to the current Juke, but the front and rear ends appear to be closer in style to the new LEAF. The grille is now closed off, and the front features Nissan’s new V-Motion front fascia. Meanwhile, the rear gains a new light bar connecting the taillights.
We also got a sneak peek at the interior, revealing dual central infotainment and driver-cluster screens. Like the LEAF, 12.3″ screens will likely come standard with 14.3″ screens available on higher trims.
Primeras fotos espía del nuevo Nissan JUKE 2026, el SUV que promete sorprender a todos otra vezhttps://t.co/NU6IaqsoVO
Nissan has yet to reveal final specs or prices, but the electric Juke is expected to be based on the same CMF-EV platform as the new LEAF. The new Nissan LEAF is available in the UK with two battery options: 52 kWh and 75 kWh, offering WTLP ranges of 271 miles and 386 miles, respectively.
Although the electric Juke is set to arrive next year, an Automotive News report in August claimed Nissan may continue offering the gas version due to slower-than-expected EV demand.
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Save up to $600 in early Black Friday savings on Velotric e-bikes starting from $1,099
Velotric has launched its early Black Friday Sale with up to $600 in e-bike savings in the form of price cuts and FREE bundled gear. Among the lineup, we’re seeing a rare price cut on Velotric’s Discover 2 Step-Thru Commuter e-bike to $1,899 shipped, which is also getting $120 in FREE gear. In 2025, the MSRP on this newer model increased from $1,899 to $1,999 from tariff hikes, with the largest discount we saw in 2024 being a one-time drop of $200, while we’ve only seen one previous cut to $1,899 that happened back in August. Today’s deal is bringing back that same second-best rate, giving you $100 off the tag while also providing you with a $120 FREE suspension seat post. Head below to check out Velotric’s full early Black Friday lineup.
The second-generation of Velotric’s flagship Discover 1 Plus model (which has been sold out since the Prime Sale last month), the Discover 2 commuter e-bike is a more advanced solution that still retains a reasonable price despite its notable upgrades. Things start at the newer 750W 75Nm rear hub motor (peaking to 1,100W) alongside a 705.6Wh battery to reach up to 20/28 MPH top speeds (depending on your state’s laws) and provide pedal-assistance support for up to 75 miles on a full charge. One big improvement here is the SensorSwap tech that lets you switch between a cadence or torque sensor as you need them, with the PAS boasting three modes that each have five levels.
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There’s plenty more to love about this model, with additional features including Apple Find My integration, hydraulic disc brakes, Kenda puncture-resistant tires, an auto-on integrated LED headlight, a rear cargo rack with an integrated taillight (complete with turn signaling, as well as brake, flashing, and steady lighting), an 8-speed Shimano Altus derailleur, a 3.5-inch full-color display with a USB-C port, and more.
Velotric’s early Black Friday deals on new e-bikes:
Rad Power’s RadRover 6 Plus e-bike gets $600 Black Friday discount to a new $999 low (Reg. $1,599)
As part of Rad Power’s ongoing Black Friday Sale that will only last as long as supplies hold out, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru Fat-Tire e-bike at $999 shipped. You’d be paying a full price of $1,599 outside of sales, with the discounts we’ve seen this year having taken things down between $1,399 and $1,299, with some rare cuts as low as $1,199. Now, with these early Black Friday savings, we’re seeing it go lower than ever with a $600 markdown that lands $200 under the former low for the best new price that we have tracked.
For four days, get Heybike’s ALPHA all-terrain mid-drive e-bike with $266 in FREE gear at a new $1,299 low
As part of Heybike’s ongoing early Black Friday Sale, and running alongside the short-term Ranger S $999 annual low, there is also a 4-day flash sale on the ALPHA All-Terrain Mid-Drive e-bike at $1,299 shipped with it also getting $266 in FREE gear. It carries a $1,699 MSRP, but over the year, we’ve regularly seen it drop to $1,599 and $1,499, with a flash sale that took things to $1,399 last month for the first time. Now, during this 4-day window, you can score a larger-than-ever $400 markdown that drops things to a new all-time low price. On top of this price cut, you’re also getting a steel cable lock, helmet, a waterproof backpack, a large cargo basket, and a gift pack.
Heybike’s 4-day early Black Friday flash sale cuts $500 off Ranger S folding e-bikes to $999 and $1,199 annual lows
As part of Heybike’s early Black Friday Sale, the brand is giving folks a 4-day flash sale on two models, with a surprise price cut on the Ranger S 750W Folding Fat-Tire e-bike to $999 shipped that also comes with a FREE Black Friday gift pack, or you could go with the upgraded 1,000W variant at $1,199 shipped and get the same gift pack. These two models would normally run you $1,499 and $1,699 at full price, which discounts have almost exclusively dropped as low as $1,099 and $1,299 over the year, if not at higher rates. While we have seen the price go as low as $899 and $1,099 in the past, those rates haven’t been seen since last year, making the $500 markdowns here the best prices we’ve tracked in 2025.
Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $326 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,325)
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $449 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,448)
Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $899 (Reg. $1,413)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.