2019 was not particularly kind to NIO. The company repeatedly made headlines, often for less-than-favorable reasons, and seemed to be caught in a cycle of ongoing financial losses. All of this took a toll on the five-year-old company. Meanwhile, you might have often heard people questioning the quality of NIO cars, asking, "How good is the quality of NIO vehicles?" Instead of giving a direct answer, let's start by exploring the NIO ES8. After learning about it, you'll naturally come to your own conclusion.
As NIO's first mass-produced model and flagship vehicle, the NIO ES8 has carried more than just the mission of generating revenue since its inception. Launched in December 2017. the ES8 delivered an impressive 11.348 units in 2018. far exceeding NIO's first-year sales target post-listing. In 2019. 17.395 units were delivered, marking a year-over-year growth of over 50%. Behind this significant growth is the indisputable reliability and quality of NIO.
Quality control starts from the design phase.
NIO vehicles feature a high-strength, all-aluminum body, a rarity in both electric and fuel-powered cars. The torsional rigidity of the entire vehicle reaches 44.140 N·m per degree. The body is made from military-grade 7-series aluminum, known as the "combat aluminum" of metals. It is commonly used in airplane landing gears and fighter jet bodies, areas that require the highest material strength. Given that the battery of an electric vehicle weighs at least 500 kilograms, the all-aluminum body, which is only a third of the weight of steel, becomes essential. This body, made from materials comparable to those used in top-tier supercars, not only increases the vehicle's safety but also makes the ES8 lighter and more fuel-efficient.
In addition to the body design, NIO developed the Torque Box technology for the ES8's battery compartment. Simply put, this technology quickly channels the forces generated during a collision through specific pathways to the car body, reducing the risk of damage to the core components. The five-star rating that the ES8 received in the 2019 C-NCAP crash test highlights the effectiveness of this technology.
Strict production standards and no expense spared on production lines.
If you've ever visited NIO's manufacturing plant, you would notice the large electronic LED signs hanging above, displaying the words "Quality is Faith." This serves as a constant reminder to every worker on the production line of the importance of quality.
Every detail is meticulously controlled: the stability of the body riveting and adhesive application, the gap requirements during laser welding, the process control during body painting, the random inspections, and the post-assembly testing. Each step reflects a serious commitment to consumer responsibility. The NIO ES8 is produced on this very production line.
Throughout every stage of NIO’s production process, the company adheres to the "three no’s" principle: no production of defects, no passing on of defects, and no acceptance of defects. For example, more than 3.000 inspection items are applied during the production process of the ES8.
Thanks to these rigorous manufacturing standards and processes, the safety performance of the NIO ES8 has rarely faced major issues since its launch. There are also few complaints related to poor quality. The success of the ES8 can be attributed not only to its quality but also to its user-friendly interface, unique design, and interior aesthetics. However, it is undeniable that through the ES8. NIO has successfully established a strong brand image, gradually becoming a model of what a new enterprise should be in people's minds.
