NIO Inc. Reports Unaudited Q4 and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

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2 years ago

NIO Quarterly Total Revenues reached RMB17,103.2 million (US$2,408.9 million)ⁱ

Quarterly Vehicle Deliveries were 50,045 units

Full Year Total Revenues reached RMB55,617.9 million (US$7,833.6 million)

Full Year Vehicle Deliveries were 160,038 units

NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO, HKEX: 9866, SGX: NIO))) (“NIO” or the “Company”), a pioneer and a leading company in the premium smart electric vehicle market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Operating Highlights for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2023

Vehicle deliveries were 50,045 in the fourth quarter of 2023, consisting of 33,679 premium smart electric SUVs and 16,366 premium smart electric sedans, representing an increase of 25.0% from the fourth quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 9.7% from the third quarter of 2023.
Vehicle deliveries were 160,038 in 2023, representing an increase of 30.7% from 2022.

Key Operating Results
	2023 Q4	2023 Q3	2023 Q2	2023 Q1
Deliveries	50,045	55,432	23,520	31,041

	2022 Q4	2022 Q3	2022 Q2	2022 Q1
Deliveries	40,052	31,607	25,059	25,768

Financial Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2023

Vehicle sales were RMB15,438.7 million (US$2,174.5 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing an increase of 4.6% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 11.3% from the third quarter of 2023.
Vehicle marginⁱⁱ was 11.9% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 6.8% in fourth quarter of 2022 and 11.0% in the third quarter of 2023.
Total revenues were RMB17,103.2 million (US$2,408.9 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing an increase of 6.5% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 10.3% from the third quarter of 2023.
Gross profit was RMB1,279.2 million (US$180.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing an increase of 105.7% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 16.0% from the third quarter of 2023.
Gross margin was 7.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 3.9% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and 8.0% in the third quarter of 2023.
Loss from operations was RMB6,625.3 million (US$933.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a decrease of 1.6% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 36.8% from the third quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP) was RMB6,059.3 million (US$853.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing an increase of 0.7% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 42.9% from the third quarter of 2023.
Net loss was RMB5,367.7 million (US$756.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a decrease of 7.2% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 17.8% from the third quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was RMB4,801.7 million (US$676.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a decrease of 5.2% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 21.5% from the third quarter of 2023.
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investment and long-term time deposits were RMB57.3 billion (US$8.1 billion) as of December 31, 2023.

Key Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2023
(in RMB million, except for percentage)
	2023 Q4	2023 Q3	2022 Q4	% Changeⁱⁱⁱ
				QoQ	YoY
Vehicle Sales	15,438.7	17,408.9	14,759.0	-11.3%	4.6%
Vehicle Margin	11.9%	11.0%	6.8%	90bp	510bp

Total Revenues	17,103.2	19,066.6	16,063.5	-10.3%	6.5%
Gross Profit	1,279.2	1,523.3	621.8	-16.0%	105.7%
Gross Margin	7.5%	8.0%	3.9%	-50bp	360bp

Loss from Operations	(6,625.3)	(4,843.9)	(6,736.1)	36.8%	-1.6%
Adjusted Loss from Operations (non-GAAP)	(6,059.3)	(4,240.4)	(6,015.7)	42.9%	0.7%

Net Loss	(5,367.7)	(4,556.7)	(5,786.1)	17.8%	-7.2%
Adjusted Net Loss (non-GAAP)	(4,801.7)	(3,953.2)	(5,065.6)	21.5%	-5.2%

Financial Highlights for the Full Year of 2023

Vehicle sales were RMB49,257.3 million (US$6,937.7 million) for the full year of 2023, representing an increase of 8.2% from the previous year.
Vehicle margin was 9.5% for the full year of 2023, compared with 13.7% for the previous year.
Total revenues were RMB55,617.9 million (US$7,833.6 million) for the full year of 2023, representing an increase of 12.9% from the previous year.
Gross profit was RMB3,051.8 million (US$429.8 million) for the full year of 2023, representing a decrease of 40.7% from the previous year.
Gross margin was 5.5% for the full year of 2023, compared with 10.4% for the previous year.
Loss from operations was RMB22,655.2 million (US$3,190.9 million) for the full year of 2023, representing an increase of 44.8% from the previous year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP) was RMB20,286.1 million (US$2,857.2 million) in 2023, representing an increase of 52.0% from the previous year.
Net loss was RMB20,719.8 million (US$2,918.3 million) for the full year of 2023, representing an increase of 43.5% from the previous year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was RMB18,350.7 million (US$2,584.6 million) for the full year of 2023, representing an increase of 51.1% from the previous year.

Key Financial Results for Full Year 2023
(in RMB million, except for percentage)
	2023	2022	% Changeⁱⁱⁱ

Vehicle Sales	49,257.3	45,506.6	8.2%
Vehicle Margin	9.5%	13.7%	-420bp

Total Revenues	55,617.9	49,268.6	12.9%
Gross Profit	3,051.8	5,144.0	-40.7%
Gross Margin	5.5%	10.4%	-490bp

Loss from Operations	(22,655.2)	(15,640.7)	44.8%
Adjusted Loss from Operations (non-GAAP)	(20,286.1)	(13,344.8)	52.0%

Net Loss	(20,719.8)	(14,437.1)	43.5%
Adjusted Net Loss (non-GAAP)	(18,350.7)	(12,141.2)	51.1%

Recent Developments

Deliveries in January and February 2024

NIO delivered 10,055 vehicles in January 2024 and 8,132 vehicles in February 2024. As of February 29, 2024, cumulative deliveries of NIO vehicles reached 467,781.

NIO Day and Launch of ET9

On December 23, 2023, NIO held NIO Day 2023 in Xi’an, China and launched the ET9, a smart electric executive flagship. The ET9 is an epitome of NIO’s innovative technologies, setting a new technological benchmark for smart electric vehicles executive flagship.

Listed in MIIT’s Catalog of Vehicle Manufacturers

NIO has completed the filing process for its electric passenger vehicle investment project with the relevant authorities in Anhui Province, and has been included in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s catalogue of approved manufacturers.

Strategic Equity Investment from CYVN

On December 27, 2023, NIO closed the US$2.2 billion strategic equity investment from CYVN Investments RSC Ltd (“CYVN”), an investment vehicle based in Abu Dhabi. Together with the previously completed transactions in July 2023, CYVN in aggregate beneficially owns approximately 20.1% of the Company’s total issued and outstanding shares.

Completion of the Repurchase Right Offer for Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

On February 1, 2024, NIO completed the repurchase right offer relating to its 0.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”). US$300,536,000.00 aggregate principal amount of the Notes were validly surrendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the repurchase right offer. Following settlement of the repurchase, US$912,000.00 aggregate principal amount of the Notes remain outstanding and continue to be subject to the existing terms of the Indenture and the Notes.

Board Change

On February 7, 2024, NIO appointed Mr. Eddy Georges Skaf and Mr. Nicholas Paul Collins as new directors of the Company’s board of directors. In addition, on the same day, Mr. James Gordon Mitchell resigned as a director of the Company.

Technology License Transaction

On February 26, 2024, NIO Technology (Anhui) Co., Ltd. (“NIO Technology”), a subsidiary of NIO Inc., entered into a technology license agreement (the “Technology License Agreement”) with Forseven Limited (“Forseven”), a subsidiary of CYVN Holdings L.L.C. Pursuant to the Technology License Agreement, NIO Technology will grant a non-exclusive and non-transferrable worldwide license to Forseven to use certain of NIO Technology’s existing and future technical information, technical solutions, software and intellectual property rights related to or subsisting in the smart electric vehicle platforms of NIO Technology.

CEO and CFO Comments

“In 2023, NIO set a new delivery record of 160,038 vehicles, ranking first in China’s premium BEV market with an average transaction price over RMB 300,000,” said William Bin Li, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of NIO, “At NIO Day 2023, we unveiled ET9, our smart electric executive flagship, showcasing a suite of our latest technologies, including our self-developed AD chip, full-domain 900V architecture, advanced intelligent chassis system and various other industry-leading innovations.”

“We will soon start deliveries of 2024 NIO products equipped with the highest computing power among production vehicles and constantly enhance users’ driving and digital experience. Meanwhile, we plan to release Navigate on Pilot Plus (NOP+) for urban roads to all NT2.0 users in the second quarter. Our continuous investments in technologies, battery swapping network and user community will bolster our competitive advantages as we navigate the future competition,” added William Bin Li.

“Our vehicle margin continued to grow, reaching 11.9% in the fourth quarter of 2023,” added Steven Wei Feng, NIO’s chief financial officer, “In December 2023, we closed the US$2.2 billion strategic equity investment from CYVN, demonstrating our unique positioning and competitiveness in the global smart EV industry. Moving forward into 2024, we will prioritize our business objectives, improve system capabilities and optimize cost management efficiency.”

Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2023

Revenues

Total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB17,103.2 million (US$2,408.9 million), representing an increase of 6.5% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 10.3% from the third quarter of 2023.
Total revenues for the full year of 2023 were RMB55,617.9 million (US$7,833.6 million), representing an increase of 12.9% from the previous year.
Vehicle sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB15,438.7 million (US$2,174.5 million), representing an increase of 4.6% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 11.3% from the third quarter of 2023. The increase in vehicle sales over the fourth quarter of 2022 was mainly due to the increase in delivery volume, partially offset by the lower average selling price as a result of changes in product mix. The decrease in vehicle sales over the third quarter of 2023 was mainly attributed to a decrease in delivery volume.
Vehicle sales for the full year of 2023 were RMB49,257.3 million (US$6,937.7 million), representing an increase of 8.2% from the previous year.
Other sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB1,664.5 million (US$234.4 million), representing an increase of 27.6% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 0.4% from the third quarter of 2023. The increase in other sales over the fourth quarter of 2022 was mainly due to the increase in sales of accessories and provision of power solutions, as a result of continued growth in the number of our users. Other sales remained relatively stable compared with the third quarter of 2023.
Other sales for the full year of 2023 were RMB6,360.7 million (US$895.9 million), representing an increase of 69.1% from the previous year.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Cost of sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB15,823.9 million (US$2,228.8 million), representing an increase of 2.5% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 9.8% from the third quarter of 2023. Cost of sales remained relatively stable compared with the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease in cost of sales over the third quarter of 2023 was mainly attributable to a decrease in delivery volume.
Cost of sales for the full year of 2023 was RMB52,566.1 million (US$7,403.8 million), representing an increase of 19.1% from the previous year.
Gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB1,279.2 million (US$180.2 million), representing an increase of 105.7% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 16.0% from the third quarter of 2023.
Gross Profit for the full year of 2023 was RMB3,051.8 million (US$429.8 million), representing a decrease of 40.7% from the previous year.
Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 7.5%, compared with 3.9% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and 8.0% in the third quarter of 2023. The increase of gross margin over the fourth quarter of 2022 was mainly attributed to the increased vehicle margin. The decrease of gross margin over the third quarter of 2023 was mainly attributed to the decrease in margin from provision of power solutions as a result of expanded power network, and partially offset by the higher vehicle margin.
Gross margin for the full year of 2023 was 5.5%, compared with 10.4% for the full year of 2022.
Vehicle margin in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 11.9%, compared with 6.8% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and 11.0% in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in vehicle margin from the fourth quarter of 2022 was mainly attributable to (i) the decreased material cost per unit, and (ii) the inventory provisions, accelerated depreciation on production facilities, and losses on purchase commitments for the previous generation of ES8, ES6 and EC6 recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in vehicle margin from the third quarter of 2023 was mainly due to the decreased material cost per unit.
Vehicle margin for the full year of 2023 was 9.5%, compared with 13.7% for the full year of 2022.

Operating Expenses

Research and development expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB3,972.1 million (US$559.5 million), representing a decrease of 0.2% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 30.7% from the third quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, research and development expenses (non-GAAP) were RMB3,616.4 million (US$509.4 million), representing an increase of 1.8% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 36.8% from the third quarter of 2023. Research and development expenses remained relatively stable compared with the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in research and development expenses over the third quarter of 2023 was mainly due to the incremental design and development costs for new products and technologies as well as the increased personnel costs in research and development functions.
Research and development expenses for the full year of 2023 were RMB13,431.4 million (US$1,891.8 million), representing an increase of 23.9% from the previous year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, research and development expenses (non-GAAP) were RMB11,914.2 million (US$1,678.1 million), representing an increase of 25.2% from the previous year.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB3,972.7 million (US$559.5 million), representing an increase of 12.6% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 10.1% from the third quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses (non-GAAP) were RMB3,781.5 million (US$532.6 million), representing an increase of 16.1% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 10.4% from the third quarter of 2023. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses over the fourth quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2023 was mainly attributable to (i) the increase in personnel costs related to sales functions, and (ii) the increase in sales and marketing activities.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the full year of 2023 were RMB12,884.6 million (US$1,814.8 million), representing an increase of 22.3% from the previous year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses (non-GAAP) were RMB12,116.7 million (US$1,706.6 million), representing an increase of 25.8% from last year.

Loss from Operations

Loss from operations in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB6,625.3 million (US$933.2 million), representing a decrease of 1.6% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 36.8% from the third quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP) was RMB6,059.3 million (US$853.4 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing an increase of 0.7% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 42.9% from third quarter of 2023.
Loss from operations for the full year of 2023 was RMB22,655.2 million (US$3,190.9 million), representing an increase of 44.8% from last year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP) was RMB20,286.1 million (US$2,857.2 million) in 2023, representing an increase of 52.0% from last year.

Net Loss and Earnings Per Share/ADS

Interest and investment income in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB1,368.1 million (US$192.7 million), representing an increase of 288.7% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 375.0% from the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily attributed to the recycling of unrealized gain from other comprehensive income to investment income of RMB977.3 million for the available-for-sale debt investment.

Net loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB5,367.7 million (US$756.0 million), representing a decrease of 7.2% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 17.8% from the third quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was RMB4,801.7 million (US$676.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a decrease of 5.2% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 21.5% from the third quarter of 2023.
Net loss for the full year of 2023 was RMB20,719.8 million (US$2,918.3 million), compared with net loss of RMB14,437.1 million in 2022. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) was RMB18,350.7 million (US$2,584.6 million) in 2023.
Net loss attributable to NIO’s ordinary shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB 5,592.8 million (US$787.7 million), representing a decrease of 4.3% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and an increase of 20.8% from the third quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses and accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value, adjusted net loss attributable to NIO’s ordinary shareholders (non-GAAP) was RMB 4,948.0 million (US$696.9 million) in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Net loss attributable to NIO’s ordinary shareholders for the full year of 2023 was RMB 21,147.0 million (US$2,978.5 million). The net loss attributable to NIO’s ordinary shareholders was RMB14,559.4 million in 2022. Excluding share-based compensation expenses and accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value, adjusted net loss attributable to NIO’s ordinary shareholders (non-GAAP) was RMB18,474.8 million (US$2,602.1 million) in 2023.
Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share/ADS in the fourth quarter of 2023 were both RMB3.18 (US$0.45), compared with RMB3.55 in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.67 in the third quarter of 2023. Excluding share-based compensation expenses and accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value, adjusted basic and diluted net loss per share/ADS (non-GAAP) were both RMB2.81 (US$0.39), compared with RMB3.07 in the fourth quarter of 2022 and RMB2.28 in the third quarter of 2023.
Basic and diluted net loss per ADS for the full year of 2023 were both RMB12.44 (US$1.75). Excluding share-based compensation expenses and accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to redemption value, adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ADS (non-GAAP) were both RMB10.87 (US$1.52) in 2023.

Balance Sheet

Balance of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investment and long-term time deposits was RMB57.3 billion (US$8.1 billion) as of December 31, 2023.

Business Outlook

For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects:

Deliveries of vehicles to be between 31,000 and 33,000 vehicles, representing a decrease of approximately 0.1% to an increase of approximately 6.3% from the same quarter of 2023.
Total revenues to be between RMB10,499 million (US$1,479 million) and RMB11,087 million (US$1,562 million), representing a decrease of approximately 1.7% to an increase of approximately 3.8% from the same quarter of 2023.

This business outlook reflects the Company’s current and preliminary view on the business situation and market condition, which is subject to change.

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