Since then, every of Nio’s eight manufacturing fashions – together with the ET5, ET5 Touring, EL6, ET7 and EL7 bought in 5 European international locations – has benefited from its enter. Most particularly, this has been centered on chassis tuning, during which the UK-based engineering crew is taking an more and more distinguished function.

“We develop specific suspension tuning for each market region, taking into account the differing demands of customers and differing road conditions,” he says.

It wasn’t till 2021 and Nio’s entry into the Norwegian market with the ES8 that its first European-specification mannequin was launched.

Like these deliberate for the UK, that mannequin receives its personal chassis tuning for Europe, with steering, spring, damper, and bushing traits differing from these utilized to the ES8 bought in China. They are traits which have now been dropped at different Nio fashions at the moment bought in left-hand-drive European markets.

Teobaldi says: “Most Chinese clients place a premium on secondary trip, so shock absorption is essential. They are extra tolerant to giant physique motions.

“European customers, without generalising too much, are the opposite. They want good body control, so damping is very important. At the same time, they are more tolerant to ride harshness.”

Oxfordshire, says Teobaldi, is the right location for Nio to refine that bespoke dynamic character: “We draw on specialist engineers and world-class testing services. 

It additionally gives nice scope for know-how scouting. There are developments right here that you simply don’t see wherever else.”