Companies own fewer cars

On 1 January 2011 fewer cars were registered in the names of companies than on 1 January 2010 when there had also been a year-on-year decline. Furthermore, the trend is for companies to acquire smaller, lighter, more fuel-efficient cars. Because there is a rapid turnover rate, the average company car at the start of 2011 was lighter than at the start of 2010.

Reducing company car numbers

Op 1 January 2011 companies in the Netherlands owned over 859 thousand cars. This is downnn 1.6 percent on 1 January 2010. It is the second year in a row in which company car ownership declined. At the record high of 1 January 2009, companies still owned nearly 909 thousand cars. In the course of 2009 the number of company cars fell by nearly 4 percent. This was the largest decrease registered.

Company car developments

Company cars running on diesel and LPG less popular

The number of company cars running on diesel and LPG has fallen by 6 and 21 percent respectively in 2010. At the start of 2011 companies owned more petrol, hybrid or electric cars. There was an increase of more than 36 percent in hybrids in 2010, reaching nearly 32 thousand. In 2009 the number of hybrids nearly doubled.

Company cars by fuel

Lighter cars

Fiscal measures have stimulated the purchase of more fuel-efficient cars. These are often smaller, lighter cars. Because companies tend to renew their cars fast, the average car at the start of 2011 was lighter than the year before. On 1 January 2011 a company car weighed on average 1,364 kilograms compared to 1,371 kilograms at the start of 2010.

Company cars by weight, 1 January 2011

Astrid Dohmen