Nio secures $2.2 billion investment from Abu Dhabi government fund

Nio has sealed the deal for a fresh round of financing from CYVN Holdings LLC, the Abu Dhabi government fund, acquiring a 20% stake in the Chinese electric vehicle giant. This move follows CYVN's initial investment of $1.1 billion in July, bringing their total investment to a staggering $3.3 billion.

In this latest transaction, CYVN will inject $2.2 billion in cash to acquire 294 million newly issued class A ordinary shares of Nio at $7.50 per share through its affiliate, CYVN Investments RSC Ltd. The agreement, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be finalized in the last week of December, with both parties committed to a six-month lock-up arrangement post-transaction.

The financial injection from CYVN comes at a crucial moment for Nio, which faced delivery challenges in the first half of the year, impacting revenue and gross margins. Despite a rebound in the second half, Nio implemented strategic changes, including reducing positions by 10% in November and planning to spin off its battery manufacturing unit by the year-end, seeking external investors.

William Li, Nio's founder, chairman, and CEO, expressed gratitude for CYVN's vision to accelerate the global transition to sustainable mobility. Following the December investment, CYVN's stake in Nio will reach 20.1% of the total issued and outstanding shares. The deal grants CYVN the right to nominate two directors if they maintain over 15% ownership, and one director if ownership falls between 5% and 15%.

Post-transaction, Nio, and CYVN plan to continue collaborations in international markets, focusing on strategic and technical endeavors. CYVN expressed confidence in Nio's unique positioning and competitiveness in the global smart EV industry, highlighting its commitment to long-term partnership and support.

Jassem Al Zaabi, Chairman and Managing Director of CYVN Holdings, stated, "This transaction demonstrates our confidence in Nio's unique positioning and competitiveness in the global smart EV industry."

While the financial infusion is substantial, questions loom regarding Nio's ability to navigate the competitive landscape solely through increased capital. With only one new model launch slated for the next year - the upcoming top-of-the-range ET9 - the focus remains on selling existing models. The spin-off of the battery manufacturing unit is also signaling a shift in strategy for quicker profitability.

Nio's ambitious goal is becoming profitable within three years.

Via