Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus (NGDB), also known as Nanjing Golden Dragon Skywell, is a Chinese manufacturing company founded in 2000 in Nanjing, China. It specializes in the production of vans, buses, and commercial vehicles for both domestic and export markets. NGDB is a subsidiary of the Skywell New Energy Automobile Group and operates as a joint venture with Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry.
| Website | www.niutron.com |
|---|
Nio Inc. (Chinese: 蔚来; pinyin: Wèilái; stylized as NIO) is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai, founded in 2014. The company specializes in autonomous and semi-autonomous EVs, battery swapping stations, and high-performance electric vehicles. Nio collaborates with JAC Group to manufacture its vehicles, though it acquired JAC’s factories in 2023.
Niutron (Mandarin: 自游家) is a Chinese electric car brand founded by Niu Technologies co-founder Yan Li on December 15, 2021. The parent company, Huoxingshi Technology, is based in Beijing, with design in Shanghai and R&D and manufacturing in Changzhou. Despite ambitious plans, Niutron ceased operations in March 2023, and its vehicle NV was later rebadged and sold by Docan as the Docan V07.
History
Nanjing Golden Dragon Bus (NGDB)
- 2000: NGDB was established.
- 2005: Underwent restructuring, with Xiamen King Long (60%) and Nanjing Dongyu Auto Group (40%) acquiring shares.
- 2011: Another company restructuring took place.
- 2012: NGDB passed the new energy vehicle production qualification examination.
- 2015: NGDB launched the Skywell D09 and D11 at the Shanghai International Auto Show.
Nio Inc.
- 2014: Founded as a startup EV company.
- 2018: Filed IPO on NYSE, raising US$1.8 billion.
- 2020: Nio faced financial difficulties, received US$1 billion bailout from Hefei city.
- 2021: Expanded to Norway, marking first international market.
- 2023: Acquired JAC factories, ending its OEM partnership.
Niutron
- 2018: Company founded by Yan Li with $50 million in funding.
- 2021:
- Announced as a new startup independent of Niu Technologies.
- Revealed Niutron NV, a mid-size electric SUV.
- 2022:
- Planned to begin production at Dacheng Auto’s Changzhou plant.
- Production delays led to the expiration of its factory license, halting production.
- Issued refunds to over 24,000 customers.
- 2023:
- Ceased operations in March.
- Niutron NV rebranded as Docan V07.
Exports & International Presence
NGDB International Markets
- 2016: First exports to Hong Kong (45 D11 electric buses).
- 2017: Expanded to Thailand.
- 2019: Overseas presence in Thailand, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Malaysia, Canada, Singapore, South Korea, India, Ukraine, and Chile.
Nio International Expansion
- 2021: Entered Norwegian market.
- 2023: Nio expanded its battery swap stations to Germany.
- 2025: Aims to operate in 25 global markets.
Vehicle Models
NGDB Skywell Vehicles
| Model | Year Introduced |
|---|---|
| Skywell D07 | 2017 |
| Skywell D09 | 2015 |
| Skywell D11 | 2015 |
Nio Vehicles
| Model | Type | Year Introduced |
| EP9 | Hypercar | 2016 |
| ES8 | Full-size SUV | 2017 |
| ET7 | Full-size sedan | 2021 |
| EC7 | Coupe SUV | 2023 |
| Onvo L60 | Compact SUV | 2024 |
Niutron Vehicles
| Model | Type | Year Introduced |
| NV | Mid-size SUV | 2022 |
| Docan V07 (Rebadged NV) | Mid-size SUV | 2023 |
Facilities & Research
NGDB Facilities
- Nanjing: Main research and development institute.
- 2015: Business division established in Wuhan.
- 2016: Wuhan bus production facility inaugurated.
Nio Battery Swap & R&D
- 1,300+ battery swap stations operational in China.
- Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) reduces upfront costs.
- 2024: Introduced 150 kWh semi-solid state battery with WeLion.
Niutron Facilities
- Beijing: Headquarters.
- Shanghai: Design Center.
- Changzhou: Former R&D and production facility.
Sales Performance
NGDB Sales
| Year | Buses Sold |
| 2012 | 300 |
| 2013 | 500 |
| 2014 | 1,890 |
| 2015 | 8,700 |
Nio Sales Growth
- 2018: 11,348 vehicles
- 2020: 43,728 vehicles
- 2023: 160,038 vehicles
Niutron Sales
- 2022: 24,000 pre-orders refunded
- 2023: NV rebranded as Docan V07
Conclusion
NGDB, Nio, and Niutron represent different facets of China’s EV market:
- NGDB: Focuses on electric commercial vehicles and buses.
- Nio: Luxury EVs, battery swapping, and global expansion.
- Niutron: A short-lived EV startup that failed due to production delays but later saw its model rebranded under Docan.
While NGDB and Nio continue to expand, Niutron’s failure highlights the challenges new EV brands face in production, regulation, and market entry.
