Car market picks up

Passenger car dealers achieved a 3 percent higher turnover in 2006. Car importers realised a turnover growth of nearly 6 percent. Between 2003 and 2005, when consumers were rather pessimistic about the economic situation and less prepared to spend money, passenger car dealers faced declining sales.

Annual turnover growth in automotive trade

Nearly 500 thousand new cars sold

New car sales make up an important part of the turnover increase. Last year, 484 thousand new cars were sold to companies and individuals, an increase by 4 percent relative to 2005. 
For the first time since 2002, new car sales to private buyers picked up. The number of cars sold to private buyers increased by 5.5 percent in 2006.

Number of new passenger cars sold

More new cars sold to women

Women bought more than 72 thousand new cars in 2006, a growth by 10 percent compared to the previous year. The amount of new cars bought by men remained about the same. 
Despite the fact that mobility among over-65s increased, they were the only age group to buy fewer cars than in the preceding year. With a share of more than 20 percent in new car sales, over-65s remain an important target group for Dutch car dealers.

Number of new cars sold to individuals

Number of cars in the Netherlands continuously growing

The growth in the number of passenger cars in the Netherlands was unstoppable in 2006. On 1 January 2007, nearly 7.25 million cars were registered at the Dutch Road Transport Directorate (RDW), an increase by 14 percent relative to 2000.

Paul Ras and Huub Coninx