Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio (NYSE:NIO) on Thursday reported a loss of $577.9 million for the third quarter, significantly wider than a year ago, despite strong revenue following a 29% increase in vehicle sales.
Revenue for the third quarter totaled $1.83 billion, up 32.6% from the third quarter of 2021, with adjusted loss per share around 30 cents, versus six cents per share in the year-ago period. Cash at quarter end was $7.2 billion, down from $8.1 billion as of June 30.
Nio said on Oct. 1 that it delivered 31,607 vehicles in the third quarter, up 29% from the third quarter of 2021 and a record for the company.
Nio’s gross margin was 13.3%, slightly improved versus the 13% margin it reported in the second quarter, but down from 20.3% a year ago. Nio said the year-over-year margin decline was due to lower sales of regulatory credits, higher costs that have squeezed margins on its vehicles, and higher spending on its charging and service networks.
CEO William Bin Li said in a statement that the company has seen strong interest in its new ET5 sedan, which he expects “will support a substantial acceleration of our overall revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2022.” The ET5, the company’s second sedan, began shipping in September.
NIO shares gained $1.03, or 11.1%, to $10.28.