Audi Sues Chinese EV Maker Nio — Over Similar Nameplates?

Audi sues a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, Nio, over what it alleges to be similar nameplates for two of their automobiles.

The German automaker brought one of the largest EV brands in China to the Munich court after filing a lawsuit against Nio.

Audi Sues Chinese EV Maker Nio

The legal battle between Audi and Nio exclusively involves the nameplates of the vehicles of the latter, as per a news story by Inside EVs. That said, aside from naming, the luxury carmaker finds no other problems, as far as the lawsuit is concerned.

The German luxury vehicle brand finds the name of two Nio vehicles to be closely similar to its offerings, which have been in the market for a few decades now.

The two Nio vehicles in question flaunt the nameplates ES6 and ES8, which Audi believes to sound unnecessarily alike to two of its iconic offerings, namely the S6 and S8.

As such, Audi accuses the giant EV maker for infringing the trademark rights of the German automaker.

The European luxury car brand has confirmed the recent suit through its spokesperson. But the subsidiary of Nio in the region refused to comment regarding the legal battle, the German news outlet Handelsblatt reports.

While Audi thinks that these vehicles have similar naming to its lineup, they are two contrasting vehicles beyond their nameplates.

Audi S8, S6 and Nio ES6, ES8

Inside EVs notes that the ES6 and ES8 vehicles of Nio are actually luxury electric SUVs.

According to a recent report by Pandaily, the Chinese automaker introduced its ES6 model way back in 2018, whereas the ES8 debuted last 2017, making these vehicles in circulation for roughly four years already.

On the other hand, Audi S8 and S6 are two performance sedans from the luxury carmaker. And the nameplate of these two models have been in the market since long ago in the 90s.

It is worth noting that Nio names its whole lineup of EVs in the same patterns. The Chinese carmaker currently retails vehicles such as the ES7, ES8, ES6. Other name plates include ET5, EC6, and ET7.

Meanwhile, Audi prefers a single letter and number naming style. Its current models in the markets carry the monikers A7, A8, A4, as well as Q5, R8, Q8, to name a few.

Nio EV Maker

Although Nio is a carmaker based in China, it has begun its expansion in Europe.

It initially started selling its vehicles in Norway. But it also plans to sell its EVs in other nations like Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands.