NIO has officially started deliveries of the ET9 Horizon Edition, a more premium variant of its flagship electric sedan, marking a new push toward the ultra-luxury segment in China.
Launch & Positioning
- The Horizon Edition was unveiled during NIO Day 2025, held on September 20 in Hangzhou, where NIO emphasized the model’s upgraded design and luxury orientation.
- Just 10 days after the launch, the company began delivering units to customers across China.
- With a starting price of RMB 818,000 (around US $114,900) including battery, the Horizon Edition commands a premium over the standard ET9.
- Under NIO’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) scheme, the entry price becomes RMB 710,000, with a monthly battery lease fee of RMB 1,128 (for the 102 kWh pack).
- For context, the base ET9 models start at RMB 768,000, while other editions, such as the “Signature Edition,” begin at RMB 788,000.
Design & Features
The Horizon Edition is positioned as a more distinctive, design-focused take on the ET9:
- It sports a two-tone exterior scheme in blue and silver, inspired by the NIO logo’s “horizon” motif—sky above, earth below.
- The trim gets exclusive alloy wheels and Horizon badging to underscore its elevated identity.
- Interior upgrades include upgraded materials and unique accents in line with the Horizon branding.
- The underlying ET9 architecture remains the same: the Horizon Edition retains the core performance, electrical, and technological foundations of the ET9 platform.
According to NIO, the design intention is to elevate the visual and emotional presence of the car, making it more personalized and expressive for buyers seeking more than just performance.
Delivery & Production
- As of August 2025, prior to Horizon deliveries, NIO delivered 92 ET9 units. That brought cumulative ET9 deliveries to 2,065 units.
- With Horizon deliveries just kicking off in September, it is early days in gauging customer uptake of this premium variant.
The quick turnaround between launch and delivery suggests NIO had prepared pipeline stock or production ramping in advance, reflecting confidence in the variant.
Strategic Implications
- The Horizon Edition signals NIO’s ambition to push deeper into ultra-luxury EV territory, rivalling established high-end brands.
- It addresses growing demand among affluent buyers for greater personalization and design differentiation in premium EVs.
- Introducing variants like Horizon helps NIO broaden its product tiers, giving more points of entry for customers willing to pay for exclusivity above the standard ET9.