This means Nio has delivered 2,088 vehicles so far in May, when supply chain challenges remain tough.

(Image credit: Nio)

Nio (NYSE: NIO, HKG: 9866) today delivered its 200,000th production vehicle since its inception, an ET7, according to an article posted by the company on its mobile app.

This latest development means that Nio has delivered 2,088 vehicles so far in May, considering the cumulative deliveries of 197,912 vehicles as of April 30.

Nio achieved this milestone in an extremely challenging environment, given that Shanghai, where its global headquarters is located, remains in lockdown, leaving the automotive supply chain with ongoing challenges.

From May 1-8, Chinese passenger car retail sales were 254,000 units, down 21 percent from a year ago and down 45 percent from the previous week, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on May 12.

Wholesale passenger car sales during the period were 222,000 units, down 17 percent from a year earlier and 49 percent from the previous week, according to the data.

Areas including Beijing and Zhengzhou saw a worsening Covid situation earlier this month, with China's auto sales expected to continue to fall in May compared to the same month last year under strict prevention policies, according to the CPCA.

However, the situation will improve significantly in May relative to April when 28 provinces and cities saw the emergence of the Covid epidemic, the CPCA said, adding that the release of consumer demand, which was delayed in March-April, will favor a gradual recovery in retail sales in May.

Back at Nio, its 200,000th production vehicle was delivered to a man surnamed Yu in the city of Chongqing in southwestern China, and a delivery ceremony was held for the occasion. Mr. Yu already owned an Nio ES6 SUV.

Nio's 200,000th production vehicle rolled off the production line at the JAC-Nio Advanced Manufacturing Center in Hefei, Anhui province on April 26, according to its previous release.

Nio delivered 5,074 vehicles in April, down 49 percent from 9,985 in March and down 29 percent from 7,102 a year earlier. Its first sedan, the ET7, which began deliveries on March 28, had 693 units delivered in April.

Shanghai began a phased lockdown on March 28, and the situation, which was scheduled to last a week, has been extended to this day.

Notably, the Covid situation in China has now improved dramatically, with new Covid cases in Shanghai dropping to just over 1,000.

China added 226 confirmed Covid cases and 1,492 asymptomatic infections on Saturday, including 166 confirmed cases in Shanghai and 1,203 asymptomatic infections, according to local health authorities.

Under strict implementation of all Covid outbreak prevention and control measures, Shanghai will move forward with the resumption of business operations in phases starting May 16, local officials said today at a press briefing.