NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO) CEO William Li provided an update on the company’s product strategy and financial performance during the second-quarter 2026 earnings call on Tuesday. Li outlined plans for the FIREFLY brand, battery swapping infrastructure costs, and the company’s revenue figures for the period.
Regarding the FIREFLY brand, Li stated that the company will maintain a single-model strategy for 2027. However, the automaker plans to roll out special editions and technology upgrades for the vehicle. Li likened this approach to the product strategy of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), describing it as a model that will remain in the same product line while receiving new additions.
In terms of other brands, Li confirmed that the NIO brand will introduce new models in the 5 and 6 series vehicles, while the ONVO brand will introduce a “major strategic new product.”
Li also addressed the company’s battery swapping stations, which are designed to accommodate all three of NIO’s brands. He stated that the cost of each fifth-generation station is approximately RMB 1.4 million, or roughly $208,000. Li noted that the company has signed agreements with several Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) regarding a power swap alliance and is currently in ongoing communications and collaborations on some projects.
Regarding the robotaxi business, Li highlighted the role of power swap stations as infrastructure support. He mentioned that NIO is exploring partnerships in the sector. Li also stated that there will be an “admission fee” for battery swapping services, though he noted that talks on this matter are ongoing.
The earnings call included financial results for the second quarter of 2026. NIO reported revenue of RMB 32.14 billion, which is approximately $4.74 billion. This figure represents a 69.1% year-over-year increase and a nearly 26% increase from the previous quarter. However, the revenue figure missed analysts’ estimates of $4.78 billion.
Delivery figures for the period showed that NIO delivered 107,658 units in Q2 2026, an increase of nearly 50%. Year-to-date deliveries for the first eight months of the year totaled 262,893 vehicles.
