Nio Targets Online Smear Campaigns Amid New Model Launches and Profit Push

According to a recent LinkedIn post from EV Co, Chinese EV maker Nio has reportedly referred several alleged online smear campaigns to local police as it prepares major product launches. The post notes that these campaigns, described as spreading “malicious rumors,” targeted Nio’s Onvo sub-brand and its battery swap network during a period of improving profitability.

The LinkedIn post highlights that authorities have apparently accepted the case after Nio gathered supporting evidence, including claims that social media accounts falsely linked an actor in an Onvo promotional video to a controversial film. The timing coincides with Nio’s second consecutive profitable quarter on an adjusted operating basis and the rollout of the flagship ES9 SUV and new Onvo models.

For investors, the post suggests Nio is actively defending its brand and battery swap strategy, which is central to its differentiation in China’s competitive EV market. If successful, this legal approach could help limit reputational damage around new launches and support consumer confidence, potentially reinforcing Nio’s path toward sustained profitability and scale across multiple brands.

The focus on managing online narratives also underscores the broader operational and regulatory risks tied to social media in China’s auto sector. While outcomes of the reported police case remain unclear, the company’s willingness to pursue legal remedies may signal a more assertive stance on protecting intellectual, marketing, and brand assets at a critical growth juncture.