Nio has inaugurated its latest showroom, the Nio Hub, in Cologne, Germany, marking its second expansion in the country this month, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer announced today on Weibo.
Located southwest of Cologne near the German A1 highway, the Nio Hub aims to enhance the brand’s visibility and customer engagement in a strategic European market. The opening follows closely on the heels of Nio’s new flagship showroom, the Nio House, launched in Hamburg on June 20.
The move underscores Nio’s commitment to bolstering its presence in Europe, where it currently operates four Nio Houses and eight locations overall. Specific details about the number of Nio Hubs in Germany or Europe were not disclosed in the announcement.
This expansion comes amid regulatory changes in the EU affecting Chinese EV imports. Recently, the European Commission announced plans to impose increased tariffs on Chinese EVs starting next month, with rates varying by manufacturer. Nio, along with other Chinese EV makers like Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV), faces a weighted average tariff of 21 percent, adjusted from initial proposals following feedback from affected companies.
According to Bloomberg, the revised tariffs see adjustments for manufacturers involved in the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation, with SAIC Motor Corp’s tariff reduced to 37.6 percent, Geely to 19.9 percent, and BYD holding at 17.4 percent.
The evolving tariff landscape poses challenges and uncertainties for Chinese EV manufacturers aiming to expand their market presence in Europe, amidst ongoing trade dynamics between China and the EU.
