This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview

The Netherlands ranks ninth as a near-term, export destination for U.S. automotive aftermarket parts and eleventh as an export destination for U.S. automotive original equipment, according to the International Trade Administration’s 2016 Automotive Parts Top Market Report.  With more than 8.3 million registered cars and an average of 487 cars per 1,000 people, the automotive market in the Netherlands is strong.  Many opportunities exist for U.S. suppliers to provide competitive prices and innovative products.
Unit: USD thousands

 

2016

2017

2018

2019
(Estimate)

Total Local Production

46,379

33,101

34,371

34,996

Total Exports

19,268,915

22,653,874

25,647,777

25,950,960

Total Imports

22,891,799

25,665,654

28,842,382

27,360,000

Imports from the U.S.

807,716

1,009,952

1,198,715

615,600

Total Market Size

3,669,263

3,044,881

3,228,976

1,444,036

Exchange Rate

1.1069

1.1297

1.1810

1.1400*
Projected

(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)

Data Sources:
  Total Local Production: Statistics are unofficial estimates
  Total Exports: Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics (SITC 78)
  Total Imports: Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics (SITC 78)
  Imports from U.S.: Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics (SITC 78)
 

Leading Sub-Sectors

Car customization is popular in the Netherlands, with  Volkswagen, Peugeot, Opel, and Audi being the most commonly customized automobiles.  Common customizations include chip tuning, adjusting turbo and exhaust systems, body wrapping, spray paints, and wheel adjustments. 

One of the newest developments is autonomous driving.   According to research conducted by KPMG, the Netherlands is the most suitable country in Europe for autonomous driving.   Cars with completely autonomous driving systems are currently being tested on Dutch roads.

Other driver assistance growth areas include remote control parking, forward/reverse collision warning with autonomous brakes, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.  Other technologies in high demand include 360-degree cameras, keyless entry systems, and automatic transmissions.
 
The market for electric and hybrid cars is experiencing a rapid increase in popularity.  According to Dutch industry association RAI Vereniging, there were 122,305 registered electric cars in June 2018, of which 93,186 were plug-in hybrids and 29,119 fully electric vehicles.   The number of charging points is projected to grow from 33,000 (and 80,000 private charging points) in 2017 to 1.8 million in 2030.


Opportunities

Dutch interest in electric mobility continues to grow across a range of vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, busses, special vehicles, and motorbikes.  Although demand for electric mobility has increased, the rate of increase has slowed slightly, due to a change in fiscal regulations by the Dutch government.  As of January 2016, the lower additional tax rate of 4 percent only applies to electric cars.  Other ecofriendly cars, including hybrids, no longer benefit from similar regulations and now fall under the same additional tax rate as benzene- and diesel-powered automobiles. 

According to research conducted by ING, demand for electric vehicles is expected to accelerate rapidly in the coming six years as electric cars may headway against the three traditional barriers to demand:  charging limits, range limits, and high price. Opportunities exist for companies that can help with this.  Many consumers are hesitant to buy a new electric car because of the relatively limited number of charging possibilities.  For example, the Netherlands has a few of the leading companies in the charging pole industry, and companies that could supply to these manufacturers or compete with them  could have a growth market here.

Businesses can benefit from government support and are encouraged to select environmentally friendly techniques and equipment through the Environment-Investment Deduction (MIA), which has a €114 million budget, and the Random Write-off Environment Investment (VAMIL), which hasa €25 million budget.  U.S. suppliers with products and services that advance green mobility might consider collaborating with a Dutch company to take advantage of government support. 

 

Web Resources

 

Market Analyses:                Global Automotive Resource Guide 2017
                                                2016 Top Markets Report – Automotive Parts
                                                Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index
ING Breakthrough of Electric Vehicles Report

Associations:                       RAI Vereniging (Vehicle Industry Association)
                                                RAI Vereniging website (Dutch only)

                                                BOVAG (Association of Automotive Dealers)
                                                BOVAG website (Dutch only)
                                                                                                                
FOCWA (Federation of Entrepreneurship in Automotive Repair)
                                                FOCWA website (Dutch only)

                                                RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency)
                                                RVO Website

SME Resources:                   Posted on the website of the Global Automotive Team.
                               
Contact:                                Glenn van Polanen, Commercial Specialist                                             
U.S. Commercial Service – The Netherlands
Glenn.vanpolanen@trade.gov | +31-70-310 2423

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.