ZACKS·2025-10-22 15:20Core Insights - NIO Inc. is facing a lawsuit from Singapore's GIC over alleged accounting irregularities related to battery sales recognition [1][2] - The lawsuit claims that NIO misled investors and inflated its share price, with GIC arguing that its affiliate Weineng should be treated as a variable interest entity [2][3] Delivery Momentum and Product Expansion - NIO achieved a record delivery of 87,071 vehicles in Q3 2025, a 40.8% increase year-over-year, aligning with its guidance of 87,000-91,000 units [4] - The launch of the ONVO L90 contributed significantly to this growth, while the All-New ES8 is expected to enhance NIO's position in the premium SUV market [6] Competitive Landscape - In comparison, XPeng delivered 116,007 units in Q3, up 149% year-over-year, while Li Auto reported 93,211 deliveries, down from 152,831 units in the same period last year [5] Battery Swap Technology and Infrastructure Advantage - NIO operates over 3,500 battery swap stations globally, completing over 84 million swaps, which enhances customer convenience and strengthens its brand [7] Margins Expected to Improve - NIO anticipates improved vehicle margins in Q3, targeting approximately 20% gross margins for the L90 and ES8 models, supported by in-house technology [8] Price Performance & Valuation - Year-to-date, NIO shares have increased by 56%, outperforming the industry, while XPeng shares rose by 81% and Li Auto shares declined by 8.3% [9][10] - NIO is currently trading at a forward sales multiple of 0.77, lower than Li Auto and XPeng but higher than the industry average [12] Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects NIO's revenues to grow by 49% in 2025 and 45% in 2026, with bottom-line estimates showing improvements of 32% and 71% for the current and next year, respectively [13]