Fewer new commercial vehicles sold

The number of new commercial vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2009, was 30 percent lower than in the same quarter of 2008. Sales of second-hand commercial vehicles remained all but stable.

Sales new commercial vehicles

Sales new commercial vehicles slowing down

In the first quarter of 2009, nearly 25 thousand new commercial vehicles were sold, 30 percent fewer than in the first quarter of 2008. In the first quarter of 2008, new commercial vehicles sales were in excess of 35 thousand. The reason was an amendment to the subsidy scheme for heavy commercial vehicles. Many manufacturers have bought new lorries or tractors in the period prior to 1 April 2008. Other factors affecting the sales increase were positive economic figures and a high producer confidence index.

Currently, a new situation has come up. Since the third quarter of 2008, sales of new commercial vehicles have slowed down more and more. Nearly 80 percent of new commercial vehicles sold in the Netherlands are vans. The other two important categories are lorries and tractors.

Sales second-hand commercial vehicles

Sales second-hand commercial cars stable

Over 54 thousand second-hand commercial vehicles were sold in the first quarter of 2009, about the same number as in the first three months of 2008. Nearly 90 percent concerned vans.

Astrid Dohmen-Kampert