Chinese electric vehicle (EV) firm NIO Inc (NYSE:NIO) experienced a 4% drop in its stock during early premarket trading on Tuesday after launching a $1 billion convertible bond financing in an after-hours session. The bonds will have split maturity, with half due in 2029 and half in 2030, although the specific financial details, such as interest rate and equity conversion terms, have not been disclosed.
The funds raised from this financing will be used to repay existing debt facilities and strengthen NIO’s balance sheet. NIO’s American depositary receipts, listed on the NYSE, traded 4.36% lower at $9.86 per share.
NIO, along with other Chinese EV companies, is gaining market share in Europe and North America due to its comparatively cheaper models compared to Tesla’s high-end price point. The CEO of Renault, Luca de Meo, recently acknowledged that Chinese brands are “a generation ahead” of European EV manufacturers and emphasized the need for European companies to catch up on costs and close the gap.
These comments were made before a public dispute unfolded between Chinese and European authorities following an industry event in Munich. The European Union launched an investigation into Chinese EV makers, citing concerns about state subsidies that keep the prices of Chinese electric cars artificially low.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of the EV sector for Europe’s economy but expressed concerns about the distortions caused by Chinese subsidies. She drew parallels to the impact of China’s solar industry on European rivals, stating that the market needs to be regulated to ensure fair competition.
Sources:
– Source 1: [insert source]
– Source 2: [insert source]