NIO's Ledao SUV Edges Closer to Audi in Pricing

China's electric vehicle maker NIO is closing the gap with Germany's luxury car brands. New data shows that Ledao, one of NIO's key models, has nearly matched Audi's average SUV transaction price, signaling how China's high-end EVs are entering the same price tier as traditional European luxury automakers.

Ledao Narrows the Price Gap With Audi SUVs

According to figures compiled by NIO Admirer and based on data from the China Passenger Car Association, the average on-road price of the Ledao SUV jumped from RMB 200,000 in April 2025 to RMB 260,000 by September.

This puts it remarkably close to Audi's RMB 276,000 average SUV transaction price, with only about RMB 15,000 separating the two brands. The chart tracking these changes tells a compelling story: while Mercedes-Benz and BMW held steady around RMB 360,000–370,000, Audi's pricing plateaued as Ledao's climbed throughout Q3 2025.

Luxury Convergence in China's SUV Market

The numbers reveal an important shift—China's premium EV brands are catching up to the established BBA trio:

• Mercedes-Benz: ~RMB 370,000
• BMW: ~RMB 360,000
• Audi: ~RMB 276,000
• Ledao: ~RMB 260,000

While the German brands have shown minimal price movement since spring 2025, Ledao's steady climb suggests strong demand and growing consumer trust in NIO's premium positioning. This pricing alignment challenges the old assumption that NIO and Ledao are simply mid-tier alternatives to German luxury vehicles.

The narrowing gap reflects NIO's evolving brand identity, combining advanced electric drivetrains, refined interiors, and digital-first experiences that resonate with China's modern luxury buyers. This shift signals a broader market transformation where Chinese EVs compete not on affordability but on innovation and prestige.

Looking Ahead

If Ledao maintains this trajectory through late 2025, it may soon cross the threshold separating "premium" from "luxury." At that point, the line between NIO and traditional European brands could blur entirely, redefining what luxury means in the global EV era.