Introduction
NIO is one of the most innovative EV brands in the world , founded with the vision of “Blue Sky Coming.” With over 800,000 vehicles delivered globally and a strong foothold in China, the company is now rapidly growing in Europe. At Frontmania, NIO is not only a proud sponsor but also bringing their story of user-driven innovation to the stage.

Jessy The sat down with Tristan, General Manager of NIO Netherlands, to talk about how the brand combines cutting-edge technology, AI, and community building.

Can you introduce yourself and your role at NIO?
Tristan: I joined NIO about three and a half years ago as one of the very first team members in the Netherlands. Back then there wasn’t even an office , just a laptop and phone delivered by post. Since then, we’ve grown to multiple locations, hundreds of employees, and over 700 cars driving on Dutch roads. As General Manager, I’m responsible for tailoring NIO to the Dutch market , from strategy and user experience to making sure our software and hardware deliver what our users need.

NIO is known for listening closely to users. How do you do that in practice?
Tristan: We call it user-defined software. Instead of the CEO deciding what features go into the car, we actively collect feedback from our drivers. With our AI assistant NOMI, you can literally say, “Hey NOMI, I want to give feedback.” The car records a snapshot of what happened and sends it straight to the right development team.

We also have a user advisory board, quarterly sessions with 30–50 Dutch NIO owners, and even beta-testing groups where selected drivers receive new software first. This way we make sure improvements come directly from real-world experience.

Speaking of NOMI, what makes her different from other in-car assistants?
Tristan: NOMI is more than just voice control , she’s a companion. She greets you by name, plays music, adjusts the climate, and even takes selfies. But beyond the fun, she’s a safety feature: you can keep both hands on the wheel while asking her to change the temperature, open a window, or adjust driver assistance. The microphones in the car even know where you’re sitting, so NOMI responds to the right passenger.

Battery life and charging are always hot topics. What’s unique about NIO’s approach?
 Tristan: Our cars support regular home charging and DC fast charging, but we also introduced battery swap technology. In three to five minutes, you can swap your depleted battery for a fully charged one, without leaving the car. It’s faster, cleaner, and extends the life of the vehicle, since batteries can be repaired, upgraded, and reused. On long trips , like when I drove to Norway, I simply swapped a few times and didn’t have to worry about charging at all.

NIO also emphasizes community. Why is that so important?
 Tristan: Because owning a car is more than just driving it. Through the NIO app, users share experiences, join events, and give honest feedback, good and bad. Every month we organize activities ranging from barista courses to tech talks. It’s about building connections, not just selling vehicles.

Final question: What will you talk about at Frontmania?
Tristan: My session will focus on user-defined software, how feedback shapes our cars and why listening to users is critical in building both hardware and software. I’m excited to share our story and also hear what the community at Frontmania thinks about the future of car software.