ROTTERDAM, 23 March 2023 – Chinese electric car manufacturer NIO has opened the first NIO House in the Netherlands, located in the city of Rotterdam. The NIO House offers a unique approach to showcasing the brand's models, focusing on community engagement and creating a space where visitors can relax, work, and hold meetings while experiencing the brand's electric vehicles live.
Design and Layout of the NIO House
The NIO House in Rotterdam was designed by Rotterdam-based architecture firm MVRDV, inspired by the city's rugged character and the NIO brand's sophisticated aesthetic. The NIO House consists of seven main zones, with a terrazzo-like floor gradually changing color from white to warm caramel, separating the Gallery, where visitors can experience NIO's models, from the other zones. The Lounge features a long 'crane table' that hangs from pulleys, while several Meeting Rooms are available for business purposes. In the Library, visitors can relax and learn, while children can play in the Children's Hub.
First NIO House of the Netherlands opens doors in Rotterdam
NIO Life and Art Gallery
NIO Life, the company's lifestyle brand, is also featured in the NIO House, offering sustainable products created in collaboration with more than 600 independent designers and globally renowned institutions. Additionally, the NIO House includes an Art Gallery, where visitors can experience work by a different artist every three months. The first artist to exhibit his work is Rotterdam-based artist Jelmer Konjo, who created 'upcycled' works using materials used in the construction of the NIO House.
First NIO House of the Netherlands opens doors in Rotterdam
NIO Café and Local Community Engagement
The NIO House also features a NIO Café, where visitors can enjoy coffee, breakfast, and lunch. The barista of the NIO Café provides the NIO House Drink, a mocktail specially composed by NIO and inspired by the city in which the House is located. In the case of the Netherlands, the drink is called Dutch Courage, containing ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which have historical significance to the port of Rotterdam.
NIO distinguishes itself with a unique approach that places the local community at the center of its operation, with NIO Houses serving as meeting places and art galleries, in addition to showrooms. Ruben Keuter, General Manager of NIO Netherlands, sees the opening of the NIO House as a significant moment for the company, as it showcases the brand to the Dutch public and welcomes them to a space where they can meet other users, find inspiration, and learn about everything NIO has to offer.
First NIO House of the Netherlands opens doors in Rotterdam
NIO's future plans
NIO has now opened more than 100 Houses worldwide, with the Rotterdam location being the first in the Netherlands. NIO plans to launch the NIO ET5 and open a NIO House in Amsterdam later this year, with five more European branches to follow by the end of 2023. After the launch of the brand at the end of last year, NIO has already introduced two models in the Netherlands, and the company's innovative battery swap stations allow users to change their battery for a full one within minutes.
