Latest news with #Nio
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
China unveils world's first robot that runs on its own and swaps batteries by itself
Robotics firm UBTech, headquartered in Shenzhen, says its humanoid bot can autonomously complete battery replacement in under three minutes without shutting down, allowing it to operate continuously with minimal human intervention. The firm, the first humanoid robot maker to list on the Hong Kong stock exchange, said in an X video last week its Walker S2 robot supported battery swap, making it the first of its kind in the world. The video shows the robot walking over to a charging station, removing the battery from its back, inserting it into a charging dock, and installing a fresh one. Local media reports suggest the robot monitors its power levels and swaps batteries when needed. The humanoid bot is equipped with power-balancing technology and a battery designed to plug in like a USB stick. The company previously said it was collaborating with electric vehicle manufacturers like Nio and BYD to test and utilise its humanoid robots on production lines. In February, an earlier version of the robot, Walker S1, participated in AI event LEAP 25 in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating it could perform multi-task functions like handling and sorting parcels. The company, however, has not yet announced a target for large-scale production of Walker S2. Shenzhen is home to over 1,600 robotics companies, which promote the use of robotics across China's industries. China has risen to third on the list of countries using most robots in manufacturing, behind only South Korea and Singapore. According to a 2024 report, China uses 470 robots per 10,000 employees, far surpassing powerhouses like Germany and Japan with, respectively, 429 and 419. China has made significant strides in key robotics technologies such as motion control and high-performance servo drives
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why Nio Stock Skyrocketed Today
Key Points Nio stock announced a new SUV line, and the news powered big gains for its stock today. Nio's ONVO L90 will debut with a normal model and a cheaper, battery-as-a-service model. The Chinese EV specialist looks cheap on a price-to-sales basis, but it's a risky play in the EV market. 10 stocks we like better than Nio › Nio (NYSE: NIO) stock rocketed higher in Tuesday's trading following the announcement of a new vehicle. The company's share price closed out the daily session up 11%, despite a 0.4% decline for the Nasdaq Composite index in the session. Nio's valuation surged today after the company announced its new three-row SUV model. With today's pop, the stock is now up roughly 15% across this year's trading. Nio stock surges on ONVO L90 SUV announcement Nio is rolling out its new ONVO L90 model for the Chinese market on Aug. 1. The vehicle will be rolled out at two price points -- a $39,000 complete model and a $27,000 battery-as-a-service model. The company's revenue increased 21.5% year over year in the first quarter, and investors are betting that the rollout of the company's new SUV will boost vehicle deliveries and allow the business to tap into high-margin service-based revenue streams. What's next for Nio? Despite the recent rally, Nio stock is still down roughly 76% over the last three years -- and the company is valued at just 90% of this year's expected revenue. Given that Tesla is currently trading at approximately 11 times this year's expected sales, Nio's price-to-sales ratio could look quite cheap at current levels. For starters, Nio has yet to shift into profitability. The stock also comes with some big geopolitical risk factors connected to the increasingly adversarial relations between the U.S. and China. Nio could wind up delivering big wins for investors if the business' deliveries continue to expand at recent rates, but it's a risky play. Do the experts think Nio is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did Nio make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,055% vs. just 180% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 874.27%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $665,092!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,050,477!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Nio Stock Skyrocketed Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
a day ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Nio Stock (NIO) Advances 25% as Cash Bleed Continues
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio Inc. (NIO) has drawn investor interest with a stock surge of over 25% in the past month. Positioned as a leader in China's premium EV segment, Nio stands out with its distinctive battery-swapping technology and supporting infrastructure. Still, ongoing profitability issues and fierce market competition make caution advisable. Following the recent rally, I hold a Neutral view on NIO shares. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. Market-Leading EV Tech Shanghai-based Nio is a leader in China's premium electric vehicle market, holding approximately 40% of the country's premium EV market. The company designs and manufactures smart electric vehicles while building supporting infrastructure and services. Its flagship NIO brand focuses on luxury vehicles, while the newer ONVO brand targets family-oriented consumers. Meanwhile, FIREFLY caters to the ultra-premium compact car market. Nio stands out for its unique battery-swapping technology. With a network of over 1,300 battery swap stations, the company allows drivers to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in minutes. This system not only alleviates range anxiety but also supports a recurring revenue model through its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) offering. Additionally, the EV maker has made substantial investments in autonomous driving and AI technologies. Recent milestones include strategic collaborations with battery leader CATL and robust progress in launching new models across its three brand lines. The financial results for Q1 2025 presented a mixed picture, highlighting the company's growth potential and its ongoing challenges. Vehicle deliveries surged 40% year-over-year to 42,094 units, showing strong demand for the company's products. Revenue followed suit, increasing 21.5% to $1.66 billion, reflecting the successful scaling of operations with the introduction of new models. However, converting that consumer interest into profitability has remained elusive. The company reported an earnings per share loss of $0.45, worse than the consensus estimate of $0.22. Nio has accumulated net losses of $3.39 billion over the past year, with no clear timeline for achieving a break-even point. The intense competition from both established players like Tesla (TSLA) and BYD (BYDDY), as well as emerging Chinese brands, has created ongoing pressure on pricing and margins. The company's rate of cash burn raises concerns about future financing needs, which could potentially lead to dilution for existing shareholders. Additionally, exposure to Chinese economic conditions and potential trade tensions adds geopolitical risk to the investment equation. Valuation and Momentum Traditional valuation metrics prove challenging for Nio as the lack of consistent profitability makes earnings-based valuations difficult. Still, the price-to-sales ratio of 0.97x appears low compared to peers such as Tesla, at 10.69x, and Lucid Group (LCID), at 9.43x. The stock has shown strong positive momentum, bullishly driving the current price above the major moving averages. However, other technical indicators are a bit more bearish, presenting a mixed picture overall, according to TipRanks data. Is NIO a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Collectively, Wall Street analysts have assigned a Hold rating to NIO stock, based on two Buy, six Hold, and one Sell rating over the past three months. NIO's average stock price target of $4.50 represents a ~2.5% upside potential over the coming year. Wall Street analysts have taken a mostly cautious stance on Nio's shares. Recent sentiment has improved following strong preorder data for new SUV models, with some analysts noting the positive momentum in product launches and delivery growth. On the bullish end of the spectrum is Morgan Stanley's Tim Hsiao, who recently reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $5.90. Meanwhile, analysts at Mizuho (MFG) and Bank of America (BAC) both lowered the price target on Nio to $3.50 and $4.30, respectively, while maintaining a Neutral rating on the shares following the Q1 earnings report. Finally, taking a more bearish stance, Barclays' Jiong Shao lowered his price target from $4 to $3 in June and reiterated an Underweight rating on the shares. He believes that achieving volume scale of 50,000 monthly units by year-end will be challenging, especially with intensifying competition in China. Nio's Momentum Tempered by Profitability Hurdles Nio enjoys a solid market presence, advanced technology, and an ambitious expansion plan—but those advantages may still prove insufficient for turning a profit in China's fiercely competitive EV landscape. Although the stock's recent upward momentum offers some encouragement, I expect ongoing swings as the company steers from rapid growth toward sustainable earnings. For now, maintaining a Neutral stance seems prudent.
CNBC
a day ago
- Automotive
- CNBC
The race to roll out solid-state batteries is picking up steam again
The race to revolutionize the science of electric vehicles (EVs) is heating up. Often touted as the "holy grail" of sustainable driving, solid-state batteries have long been stuck between theory and the promise of commercialization in the next five to 10 years. A recent flurry of announcements from major automakers and incumbent cell producers appears to have renewed optimism. Solid-state batteries are thought to offer significantly higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries, fueling expectations that they could enable the next-generation of EVs. U.K. research firm Rho Motion has flagged one catalyst for the industry's rejuvenated momentum: the launch of the first oxide-based semi-solid-state EVs by China's Nio and IM Motors in the second half of last year. A long list of key players have since doubled down on timelines for the commercial production of solid-state batteries, with mass output expected before the end of the decade. Some of the car giants jostling for pole position in this push include Germany's Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz Group, Jeep and Chrysler maker Stellantis, China's BYD and Japan's Nissan and Toyota. "Many of the players announcing movement in the space are targeting 2027/28 for commercial production, in many cases initially for semi-solid rather than full solid state," Iola Hughes, head of research at Rho Motion, told CNBC by email. "Semi-solid batteries offer improved energy density and safety over conventional lithium-ion cells and are easier to manufacture, making them a practical bridge toward solid-state technology," Hughes said. "However, they don't match the full performance potential of true solid-state batteries in terms of energy density, compactness, and long-term scalability," she added. Solid-state batteries contain a solid electrolyte, made from materials such as ceramics, as opposed to conventional lithium-ion batteries, which contain liquid electrolyte. Proponents say the technology offers safer, cheaper and more powerful batteries for EVs, while potentially providing faster charging times. Solid-state batteries may also allow Western producers to localize production — thereby weaning themselves away from China's dominant supply chains. Critics have meanwhile typically flagged relatively high production costs, the swelling of the battery during charging and the degradation of the cell after extensive charging. Some carmakers have favored the development of semi-solid-state batteries over solid-state. These cells use a hybrid design of solid electrolyte and liquid electrolyte. BYD and CATL, which already have large-scale cell manufacturing expertise, are thought to have a better shot at delivering solid-state batteries at commercial volumes compared to some of their rivals, Rho Motion's Hughes said. Among Western automakers, Hughes said that the likes of BMW and Mercedes were probably among the frontrunners in the race to roll out the technology. "They're not only investing heavily in R&D and prototype testing but also diversifying their risk through multiple partnerships. Stellantis, for instance, has tied up with Factorial Energy, which is working on semi-solid-state cells — so their first offerings will likely be hybrid technologies rather than true all-solid-state," Hughes said. For its part, Nissan has said it remains on track to deliver solid-state batteries by 2028. "We keep working on it and we keep with the plan. The question is whether the market will be ready for that and at which moment you invest heavily on deploying this kind of technology. This is what we are looking at very closely," Nisaan CEO Ivan Espinosa told CNBC last month. "You don't want to over-engage with investments when the market is not ready to welcome the new volume that you might need to have a healthy business. So, technology-wise, we keep working, and we are on track, but probably we need to have a very careful look at the right moment to start implementing massively in this technology," he added. For some, the prevailing hype over the commercialization of solid-state batteries in EVs has run aground. "Negative sentiment has been exacerbated by Western leaders like VW-backed Quantumscape delaying their product offerings and shifting timelines following persistent technological problems, so the industry feels increasingly Sisyphean despite progress continuing to be made," Connor Watts, battery raw materials analyst at Fastmarkets, told CNBC by email. Derived from Greek mythology, a so-called "Sisyphean" undertaking refers to an endless and futile task. What's more, Watts said improvements in existing technologies has further weakened interest in the continued pursuit of solid-state batteries. CATL, for instance, said in April that it had developed a lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery capable of adding 520 km (323 miles) of driving range from just five minutes of charging time. The blockbuster announcement came just one month after BYD surprised the industry by unveiling its own super-fast charging system. Both breakthroughs were seen to cut to the core of range anxiety — the fear that an electric car battery will run out of charge on the road and a major sticking point preventing consumers from switching to an EV.. "The high cost of solid-state batteries becomes more difficult to accept when incumbent technologies begin to see increasingly similar specifications," Watts said. "If the promises of solid-state batteries don't improve while incumbent technologies catch up, the value proposition and investment case weakens significantly," he added.
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Should You Buy Nio Stock While It's Below $5?
Key Points Nio projects sales of 450,000 units this year, doubling its sales from last year. The company's unique battery-as-a-service offering enables quick battery swaps, addressing concerns about charging time and creating a recurring revenue stream. Nio faces fierce competition in China's electric vehicle market and has encountered challenges to international expansion, such as tariffs and duties on Chinese EVs. 10 stocks we like better than Nio › Nio (NYSE: NIO) is making huge strides. The Chinese automaker projects it will sell a staggering 450,000 units this year, more than double its sales from last year. With such explosive growth, investors may be wondering if it's time to get on board and invest in the automaker. While Nio is charging ahead in the electric vehicle race, it faces fierce competition in its home market and has to navigate the complex landscape of global geopolitical tensions. With the stock priced under $5 -- $4.47 at 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday -- is now the time to buy? Let's explore the business and investment opportunity ahead. Nio's sales growth has been excellent Nio continues to increase its vehicle deliveries and expand its market presence. Last year, the company achieved record deliveries of 221,970 vehicles, representing a 39% increase over the previous year. It recently reported sales of 72,056 units in the second quarter, representing a 26% increase from the same period last year. A unique aspect of Nio's business is its battery-as-a-service offering, which addresses a common concern for many electric vehicle (EV) drivers: charging time. With its battery swapping technology, at designated locations, Nio can replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in just 3 to 5 minutes. With this system, customers pay less upfront cost when purchasing a vehicle, instead paying a fee over time, which provides Nio with a steady stream of recurring income. Analysts at Western Securities, a Chinese investment bank, believe that this segment of Nio's business could break even by 2026. It faces some serious headwinds The electric vehicle market is highly competitive, particularly in China, and Nio faces significant challenges in this environment. Analysts have noted that competition in China's battery electric vehicle sector is "fierce." This intense competition ultimately impacts Nio's ability to increase sales volume, maintain favorable pricing, and achieve profitability. In the first quarter, revenue fell short of estimates and missed the company's guidance. The decline was primarily attributed to lower selling prices and increased promotions aimed at clearing out the inventory of older Nio models, as well as a higher proportion of sales from the Onvo brand, which targets the "mainstream family market, ultimately impacting its profit margins. The manufacturer also faces several geopolitical headwinds. For instance, last year, the European Commission imposed duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China, effective Oct. 30, 2024, for a period of five years. This decision was driven by concerns over substantial government subsidies that benefit Chinese EV makers. Additionally, former U.S. President Joe Biden raised tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100%, while current President Donald Trump announced additional tariffs on goods imported from China. Nio's cost-cutting efforts Another criticism of Nio lies in its growing losses. Since its inception, the company has consistently struggled to turn a profit due to its capital-intensive business model, which requires substantial investments in research and development, expansion of production capacity, and the establishment of its power and service networks. Last year, Nio reported a net loss of RMB 22,402 million (approximately $3 billion). In the first quarter of this year, the company's losses increased to RMB 6,750 million (approximately $930 million), representing a 30% rise compared to the same quarter last year. NIO Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts The company is taking steps to improve profitability. In the first quarter, its vehicle margin increased to 10.2%, up from 9.2% in the same period a year earlier. Nio has taken steps to control costs by reducing spending, including restructuring and improving efficiency across research and development, the supply chain, and sales and services. Goldman Sachs has upgraded the automaker to a neutral rating, citing the company's cost reduction efforts, and anticipates a 4%-10% improvement in profit levels over the next three years. Looking ahead, Nio CEO William Bin Li is optimistic about achieving profitability by the fourth quarter of 2025, thanks to the cost-cutting and restructuring initiatives. The company also projects doubling sales to 450,000, but Goldman analysts estimate sales could be closer to 337,000. Is Nio stock a buy? Nio is experiencing significant growth in China, with increasing deliveries and rising revenue. The company has a unique battery-as-a-service offering that differentiates it from competitors. However, it faces stiff competition in China along with headwinds from geopolitical trade tensions. The stock is currently trading at a 0.95 price-to-sales ratio. Investors who are optimistic about its long-term potential and willing to overlook geopolitical tensions and fierce competition may want to consider buying the stock at that price. That said, its ongoing unprofitability and vulnerability to external economic and political pressures are headwinds for the stock. Before making a purchase, I'd look for improvements in its efficiency, along with signs that it is capturing a growing market share in China and improving its bottom line. Until then, most investors are best off looking elsewhere. Should you invest $1,000 in Nio right now? Before you buy stock in Nio, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nio wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $652,133!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,056,790!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025
