Nio Group‘s sub-brand Firefly saw its debut model named Car of the Year 2025 by Dutch automotive publication AutoRAI on Friday, as registrations in the Netherlands surpass 40 units exactly four months after beginning deliveries.
AutoRAI cited value for money as the primary factor behind Firefly‘s win, describing the vehicle as “bizarrely” well-equipped for its €29,900 ($34,900) starting price.
“It’s bizarre what you get for your euros in this car,” the publication wrote. “Upgrading to a more expensive version is not necessary at all. Basically, everything you could want is already included.”
The publication praised the Firefly‘s spaciousness despite its compact 4-meter length, its “extremely well thought out” design, comfortable ride, generous frunk, fast charging capability, and strong performance.
“The material use is of exceptionally high quality, the same applies to the build quality,” AutoRAI wrote. “We dare to call this premium.”
The judges highlighted the Firefly‘s 13.2-inch infotainment system running Aster software as “one of the best on the market,” describing it as “fast, logical and above all beautifully designed.”
AutoRAI also emphasized the brand’s status as a software-defined vehicle, comparing it to early Tesla Model S vehicles that continue receiving updates years after production.
“This means that this car can always be improved during its life cycle,” the publication wrote. “Firefly keeps its promise by regularly updating the car: in the latest update, for example, battery preconditioning was also added.”
Technical Strengths
AutoRAI noted that while Firefly is a Chinese brand on paper, the vehicle was developed in Munich by a predominantly German team with the European market specifically in mind.
The brand was planned to debut in Europe, but the extra tariffs imposed by the European Commission forced Nio to adjust its rollout strategy, the management said earlier this year.
AutoRAI noted the Firefly‘s relatively light 1,467 kg curb weight as advantageous for road tax purposes, and praised its 100 kW DC fast charging capability, three-phase 11 kW onboard charger, and vehicle-to-load functionality.
The publication reported achieving energy consumption of 15 kWh per 100 kilometers, describing it as “excellent” even in lower temperatures.
What to Improve
The review was not without criticism.
AutoRAI noted the Giti tires were “not optimal” and would benefit from replacement with Continental, Michelin, or Pirelli rubber.
The publication also criticized the lack of a standard cruise control option, noting the adaptive cruise control “works quite nervously and brakes at strange moments.”
Other concerns included limited seat height adjustment for taller drivers, lack of steering feel around the center position, the absence of a heat pump, and the inability to fit a tow bar.
Sales Struggle
The accolade arrives amid disappointing sales figures for Nio Group in the Netherlands.
The group’s deliveries more than halved sequentially in November, falling to nine vehicles from 19 in October.
Of those, eight were Firefly units, down one from the prior month.
Nio brand’s figures represent the lowest monthly sales in four months and the eleventh consecutive month of year-over-year decline.
According to data from BOVAG, the Dutch vehicle registration authority, registrations for Nio‘s main marque plunged both sequentially by nine units and year over year by 10 units.
From January through October, Nio Group sold 145 vehicles in the Dutch market across both brands.
Despite the introduction of Firefly, sales remain 39.2% below the 213 units registered in the same period a year earlier.
Discount Push
Four months after arriving in the market, Firefly announced its first direct discounts in both Norway and the Netherlands.
In the Dutch market, Firefly launched a Black Friday promotion on November 24 offering €5,000 ($5,900) off the First Edition trim.
The discount, which ran until December 7, brought the price to €24,900 ($28,700) from the original €29,900 ($34,900).
AutoRAI noted the promotional pricing in its review, writing that customers who purchased during the Black Friday period secured “an extremely good deal.”
The brand also introduced its second European trim last month, the Comfort, priced from €32,500 ($37,400) in the Netherlands.
Direct Competitors
Other finalists for the award included the Zeekr 7X, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Smart #5, Xpeng G6, Renault 4 E-Tech Electric, Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq, BYD Dolphin Surf, and Leapmotor B10.
The publication noted the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq are currently among the best-selling EVs in the Netherlands but said the Firefly distinguished itself through design, comfort, build quality, interior space, and pricing.
The Firefly starts at €29,900 in the Netherlands, positioning it between the BYD Dolphin Surf (known as Seagull in China) at €22,990 and the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric at €29,990.
