NIO launches ES9 flagship SUV with Yao Ming as CXO

NIO formally launched its ES9 flagship executive SUV on May 27, tapping basketball icon Yao Ming as the model's Chief Experience Officer; deliveries began the next day. Priced from RMB 498,000 (about $69,000) or RMB 390,000 (~$54,000) under Battery-as-a-Service, the 5.36-meter ES9 is built on NIO's new 900V architecture with 5C ultra-fast charging plus 3-minute battery swap, and the launch sent NIO's U.S.-listed shares up roughly 10% on its first flagship release in more than two years.