Growth rate new car sales in the Netherlands above EU average

The number of new commercial vehicles and passenger cars sold in the second quarter of 2011 increased by nearly 22 and 19 percent respectively relative to the same period last year, i.e. considerably above the average level across the European Union (EU).

Sales of new passenger cars soaring

Sales of new passenger cars in the second quarter of 2011 were nearly 19 percent up on the same period last year. The growth rate of new car sales in the Netherlands is among the highest in the EU. New cars sales across the EU dropped by over 2 percent. Germany was the large country in the EU to show growth while in other large European countries new car sales declined.

Car sales, second quarter 2011

Highest turnover growth for commercial vehicles

As a result of growing sales, turnover in the motorcycle and automotive industry in the Netherlands in the second quarter of 2011 was nearly 10 percent up from the same period last year. Dealers of new passenger cars and commercial vehicles generated a turnover growth by 16 and nearly 24 percent respectively.

Turnover Dutch motorcycle and automotive industry

Substantial differences across the EU

Turnover growth in the commercial vehicle industry was boosted by a nearly 22 percent sales increase of new commercial vehicles. The increase is significantly higher than the EU average of 11.5 percent. There are large differences between the various European countries. In Greece, Portugal and Spain sales of new commercial vehicles dropped dramatically in the second quarter of 2011, but sales more doubled in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Yet, the number of new commercial vehicles sold in the Netherlands was ten times as high as in the three Baltic states together.

Rian van Gulijk-Boon, Hermine Molnár-in ’t Veld and Michel Sijstermans