Chinese electric vehicle giant Nio is preparing to launch full-scale production at its third manufacturing facility in Hefei, Anhui province, this September. Founder and CEO William Li confirmed the timeline while touring Nio’s second factory alongside Chinese writer and ET9 owner Wu Xiaobo and nearly 100 entrepreneurs. The event was streamed live, reaffirming what Li shared during the June 3 earnings call.
The new facility, known as the F3 factory, will support Nio’s growing lineup, including sub-brands Onvo and Firefly. Among its immediate priorities is the upcoming Nio Onvo L90, a large SUV set to compete with high-end models such as the Li Auto L9. Li revealed that some production lines at the new site will run on a two-shift system to meet demand.
The Nio Onvo L90 will officially enter pre-sales on July 10, with display units arriving in all retail locations on the same day. This model follows the L60 as Onvo’s second vehicle but is the first to launch under the leadership of Shen Fei, who replaced Alan Ai as president of the brand in April.
Li hinted at aggressive pricing for the L90, confirming the starting price will fall below RMB 300,000, or approximately $41,870. “The starting price for the L90 will definitely be under 300,000 yuan — there’s no way else; we all have to go all out now,” Li said during the factory tour, as broadcast via CnEVPost.
According to regulatory filings, the Onvo L90 measures 5,145 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width, and between 1,766 and 1,786 mm in height. It features a 3,110 mm wheelbase and a spacious interior, including a large front trunk and multiple storage areas. These design choices signal Nio’s intent to attract premium SUV buyers who prioritize both performance and practicality.
The L90 made its public debut during the first day of the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show on April 23. Since then, anticipation has grown as Onvo teased images and confirmed production milestones. Last night, Shen Fei posted new images of a production-ready L90 on Weibo, declaring that the SUV is “ready for action” and suggesting deliveries may begin shortly after pre-sales commence.
Nio’s current operations in Hefei span two factories that manufacture vehicles for the main Nio brand and its sub-brands. With the addition of the third facility, the company aims to scale up production efficiency and meet surging demand in China’s competitive electric SUV market.
As Nio prepares to unveil the L90’s interior and launch its sales campaign, the EV maker is signaling its intent to push aggressively into a segment dominated by rivals such as Li Auto. The upcoming weeks will prove crucial as Nio Onvo L90 takes center stage in a fast-evolving market landscape.
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