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.
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NGDB competes with Yutong, Fujian Motors Group (Higer, King Long, Xiamen Golden Dragon), BYD Auto, and Zhongtong Bus in the hybrid bus sector. Vehicles produced by NGDB are sold under the Skywell brand, trademarked in 2015.
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.
Nio operates over 1,300 battery swap stations in China, offering a unique Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model that allows for flexible battery ownership and upgrades. The company has also expanded internationally, starting in Norway in 2021 and planning to reach 25 countries by 2025.
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.
- 2012: Huang Honsheng became chairman, owning 80% of the company.
- 2015: NGDB launched the Skywell D09 and D11 at the Shanghai International Auto Show.
- 2016: Introduced the Skywell E07 and D11 logistic vehicles.
- 2017: Secured contracts for 5,500 D10 logistics vehicles.
- 2018: Acquired production rights for Chana Taurustar.
- 2019: Launched Z04 and Z10 electric trucks.
Nio Inc.
- 2014: Founded as a startup EV company.
- 2016:
- Nio launched the EP9 supercar.
- Received autonomous vehicle testing permits in California.
- 2018:
- Filed IPO on NYSE, raising US$1.8 billion.
- Opened first battery swap station in Shenzhen.
- 2020:
- Nio faced financial difficulties, received US$1 billion bailout from Hefei city.
- Established Nio China.
- 2021:
- Expanded to Norway, marking first international market.
- Launched Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) with CATL.
- 2023:
- Acquired JAC factories, ending its OEM partnership.
- Announced new Onvo brand for mass-market EVs.
- 2024:
- Launched Onvo L60, competing with Tesla Model Y.
- Announced Firefly brand for smaller EVs, targeting European markets.
Exports & International Presence
NGDB International Markets
- 2016: First exports to Hong Kong (45 D11 electric buses).
- 2017: Expanded to Thailand.
- 2018: 49 electric buses exported to Thailand, including 34 units for Chulalongkorn University.
- 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 D08 | 2017 |
| Skywell D09 | 2015 |
| Skywell D10 | 2017 |
| Skywell D11 | 2015 |
| Skywell D12 | 2016 |
| Skywell E07 | 2016 |
| Skywell Z04 | 2019 |
| Skywell Z10 | 2019 |
Nio Vehicles
| Model | Type | Year Introduced |
| EP9 | Hypercar | 2016 |
| ES8 | Full-size SUV | 2017 |
| ES6 | Mid-size SUV | 2018 |
| EC6 | Coupe SUV | 2019 |
| ET7 | Full-size sedan | 2021 |
| ET5 | Mid-size sedan | 2022 |
| EC7 | Coupe SUV | 2023 |
| Onvo L60 | Compact SUV | 2024 |
| ET9 | Full-size luxury sedan | 2025 |
Facilities & Research
NGDB Facilities
- Nanjing: Main research and development institute.
- 2011: Lishui production line construction, operational by 2015.
- 2015: Business division established in Wuhan.
- 2016: Wuhan bus production facility inaugurated.
- 2017: Announced Guangzhou production facility for 10 GWh battery systems.
- Partnerships:
- San Diego State University (SDSU): Joint research laboratory for electric batteries.
- SDSU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering received funding.
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.
- Strategic agreements with Geely, Chery, and JAC for battery swapping infrastructure.
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
- 2024 Target: 200,000+ vehicles
Conclusion
Both NGDB and Nio are key players in China’s EV industry, focusing on electric mobility solutions with different market segments. NGDB specializes in electric commercial vehicles, while Nio leads in autonomous passenger EVs and battery swapping technologies. With continuous global expansion and innovations, both companies are shaping the future of electric transportation.
