Onvo L90 pre-sale is on, putting Li Auto on the defensive

Onvo, a new brand under the Nio umbrella, has launched pre-sales for its L90 SUV at a price point that has the EV industry paying close attention. This launch is a direct and aggressive challenge to one of China's most successful electric vehicle makers, Li Auto, setting the stage for quite a summer showdown.

Onvo L90 gets a pre-sale starting price of RMB 279,900, which translates to roughly $39,000. This price is for the vehicle with the 85 kWh battery pack. For customers who prefer Nio's innovative Battery as a Service (BaaS) subscription model, the initial cost drops to an even more accessible RMB 193,900 ($27,000).

Insiders and market watchers widely expect the final price to be even lower when the vehicle officially launches at the end of July. This pricing strategy places a lot of pressure on Onvo's chief rival, Li Auto, whose own flagship six-seat SUV, the Li L9, starts at a considerably higher RMB 409,800 ($57,100). The timing is critical, as Li Auto is set to launch its first pure-electric SUV, the Li i8, on July 29, just before L90 deliveries begin on August 1.

The rivalry extends beyond price tags into fundamental design philosophies. The Onvo L90 presents itself as a traditional, large, boxy SUV - a shape currently favored by Chinese families. It measures an impressive0 inches in length, 78.7 inches in width, and 70.3 inches in height, with a generous 122.4 inches wheelbase.

In a not-so-subtle jab at the competition, Nio's CEO, William Li, emphasized that clever engineering allowed the L90 to maintain this classic SUV look without sacrificing efficiency. The L90 weighs between 4,960 lb and 5,258 lb (depending on the version), which supports the efficiency claim.

The new Li Auto Li i8 takes a slightly different path. It swaps the boxy SUV silhouette for a sleeker, more MPV-like design. Li Auto's CEO, Li Xiang, argues that this shape is superior for maximizing aerodynamic efficiency and interior space. But the Li i8 ends up being not only smaller than the L90 - measuring 200.2 inches long with a 120.1 inches wheelbase - but it is also heavier, tipping the scales at 5,688 lb to 5,754 lb.

Beyond its competitive price and conventional design, the Onvo L90 makes a strong case for itself on practicality and performance. Offered in both six- and seven-seat configurations, its primary mission is to cater to large families. Onvo claims that the L90 can accommodate ten suitcases while still comfortably seating six people, in part thanks to its large frunk.

Under the floor, the L90 is built on a modern 900-volt platform. The two-wheel-drive version promises class-leading energy consumption of just 14.5 kWh per 62 miles and a range of up to 376 miles. For buyers wanting a bit more punch, the all-wheel-drive model delivers a potent 440 kW of power, enabling the L90 to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds.

But Onvo's greatest advantage lies in the extensive infrastructure built by its parent company, Nio. L90 owners will have access to Nio's network of over 3,400 battery swap stations, 2,884 supercharging stations, and thousands of destination chargers across China. This network, and especially the ability to swap a depleted battery for a full one in minutes, is a powerful selling point that competitors are scrambling to match.

Li Auto, in preparation for its own pure EV push, has been rapidly expanding its charging infrastructure and now operates nearly 2,900 supercharging stations. Nio has also learned from its rival's operational efficiency; show cars of the L90 are already in showrooms, and deliveries are set to begin just days after the official launch, eliminating the long waits that can sometimes plague new EV releases.

Via