Nio Denies Rumors of Mercedes Partnership, Setting the Record Straight

Nio (NYSE: NIO) has swiftly debunked recent speculations of a partnership with Mercedes-Benz, emphasizing that the circulating rumors are devoid of truth. The assertion came in response to a series of events that triggered discussions about a potential collaboration between the two companies.

(Image: NIO ET7)

The stir began when William Li, Nio’s founder, chairman, and CEO, was seen guiding a group of foreigners through a battery swap station excursion. This occurrence, documented in videos circulating on WeChat and Weibo on August 4, reignited conjecture about a potential liaison between Nio and Mercedes-Benz.

However, a Nio spokesperson categorically dismissed the notion, labeling it as “false information.” The spokesperson addressed the rumors in response to inquiries from Auto in China.

Notably, this is not the first instance of Nio denying a partnership with Mercedes-Benz. Social media had previously circulated an image depicting a meeting between Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius and Nio’s William Li at a Nio House in late May. While the context of their conversation remains ambiguous, this image had fueled earlier rounds of speculation.

In June, a screenshot shared in WeChat groups featured text suggesting that Mercedes-Benz would integrate Nio’s battery swap network and design its forthcoming models based on Nio’s standards. The image imitated Nio’s app interface and messaging style. However, Nio’s legal team clarified that the statement was forged and issued a comment attesting to its inauthenticity.

These events underscore the heightened interest and scrutiny surrounding potential collaborations between EV manufacturers, especially in light of recent partnerships involving Volkswagen, Xpeng, Audi, and SAIC. Nio’s transparent stance against false rumors highlights the significance of accurate information dissemination in an evolving industry.