Car sales in the Netherlands higher than in the neighbouring countries

Substantially more new cars were sold in the Netherlands in the third quarter of 2010 than the year before. The car sales are higher than in Germany and Belgium. However, the sales of commercial vehicles are lagging behind.

Sharp increase in new car sales in the Netherlands

In the third quarter of 2010 car sales in the Netherlands were up by 27 percent on the same quarter in 2009. This is the third quarter in a row in which the rise was substantial. In 2009 car sales were still falling. In the first three quarters of 2010 the number of cars sold was up by nearly 24 percent on the year before.

Car sales down in Germany

In Germany new car sales have declined rapidly since the regulation on scrapping cars ended. In the first three quarters of 2010 car sales were down by 28 percent on the previous year. To qualify for the scrapping premium people in Germany had to buy a new car, in contrast with the Netherlands. This is why German car sales increased by 23 percent in 2009. In Belgium 15 percent more cars were sold in the first three quarters.

Sales of new cars in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium

Recovery of delivery vans sales slower in the Netherlands

The sale of new delivery vans is not as positive in the Netherlands. While sales in 2009 fell faster than in Germany and Belgium, the recovery does not seem to go as fast either. In the first three quarters of 2010 delivery van sales were down by 8 percent, while in Germany and Belgium they were up by 13 and 5 percent. This was mainly due to slow sales in the first quarter. In the third quarter delivery van sales were up by nearly 8 percent.

Sales of new delivery vans in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium

Dramatic situation with the sale of heavy commercial vehicles

In the Netherlands sales of heavy commercial vehicles (trucks, truck trailers and special purpose vehicles) is even more dramatic. They have been falling since the end of 2008. There has also been a substantial decrease in the third quarter of 2010 (-12 percent). Sales in Germany in the third quarter on the other hand were up by 32 percent on the year before.

Sales of new trucks, truck trailers and special purpose vehicles in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium

Astrid Dohmen