Dutch Auto Market in 2025 keeps falling but by less and less. YTD sales up to November fell by 1.5%, with Volkswagen and Renault climbing up many spots while Tesla dropped out of top 10. EVs grew by 19.3%, with Kia and Skoda emerging as key brands.
Economic Environment
Dutch GDP growth for 2025 is forecast at 1.5%, with a slowdown to 1.0% in 2026, reflecting steady but moderate momentum in the post-pandemic economy. The slightly stronger-than-expected 0.2% Q2 2025 GDP growth was driven by household consumption and investment, supported by a tight labour market and rising real wages. Construction and manufacturing activity were revised upward, signalling firmer production capacity, while the IT sector saw a downward adjustment. Despite these revisions, the broader economic outlook remains unchanged, with government spending expected to remain a key growth driver. Business investment and exports are set to lag due to geopolitical tensions and global trade uncertainty, especially around US tariff actions. The 2026 Budget Memorandum is deliberately modest, as elections limit the scope for new initiatives, and the budget deficit is projected to stay between 2.7% and 2.9% of GDP.
Fiscal policy remains stable, with extended fuel excise reductions and higher taxes on wealth, air travel, and accommodation forming the main measures. Public debt and the deficit are expected to remain comfortably within EU EMU limits, ensuring fiscal discipline through the transition period. The structural outlook points to an economy supported by strong household spending but constrained by weak external demand and cautious business confidence. Longer-term competitiveness initiatives, including digitalisation and SME innovation support, remain outlined but unfunded, leaving major reforms to the next government.
Automotive Industry Trend and Outlook
Despite strong performance in the prior year, the Dutch car market continues to struggle in 2025. Still, after peaking during Q2, losses started to curb throughout Q3. YTD figures up to November fell 1.5% to 339,118 units.
Brand-wise, Kia ranked 1st with a share of 10.5% (+5.9%), followed by Volkswagen -up 3 spots- in 2nd with a 8% share (+14.8%), Toyota in 3rd with a share of 7.2% (-12.6%) and Skoda -up 3 spots- in 4th (+23.5%).
Renault climbed 4 spots and ranked 5th (+31.6%), followed by BMW in 6th (+2.4%) and Volvo -down 5 spots- in 7th (-41.1%).
Hyundai ranked 8th (-12.5%), in front of Audi -up 3 spots- in 9th (+16.9%) and Ford -up 3 spots- in 10th (+17.3%).
Looking at specific models, reported in the dedicated article, the Toyota Yaris secured leadership again despite losing 2.3%, while the Kia EV3 skyrocketed into 2nd.
EV Market Trend and Outlook
The Dutch EV Sector gained 19.3% up to October 2025, reaching a 28% market share. Despite macroeconomic pressures, EV adoption continued rising thanks to an efficient charging network, smart regulatory policies and emerging popular models like the Kia EV3.
Tesla remains leader but stumbles, losing 48.8%. Kia rose 214.4% in 2nd, up 4 spots and threatening Tesla’s lead, while Skoda -up 4 spots- closed the podium.
Medium-Term Market Trend
At the start of the 2014–2024 decade, the Dutch car market gained momentum, peaking in 2015 at 447,649 units. It then stabilized around 400,000, with 14.86% growth from 2014 to 2019, driven by a strong economy, favorable tax incentives, and high consumer confidence.
The pandemic disrupted global markets, and the Dutch market was no exception, dropping 20.2% in 2020 and hitting a decade low in 2022 at 311,000 registrations, 30.4% below the 2015 peak. The decline continued until 2023, when the market rebounded with 18.6% growth, supported by easing supply chain issues, pent-up demand, and corporate fleet renewals. This momentum continued in 2024 with 381,166 units sold, up 3.2%.
Though Europe, especially Germany, is a major EV manufacturing hub, production costs remain high for many consumers, with new BEVs averaging €55,821. Raw material shortages and expensive microchips are pushing up prices and wait times, steering lower-income buyers toward the secondhand market.
The EV sector started strong early in the decade, fluctuated, then surged 141% in 2019 due to CO₂ rules, subsidies, and a rush to beat tax changes. Another growth wave followed in 2023, with EV sales up 27.2% thanks to broader model availability, better charging infrastructure, and strong corporate demand tied to sustainability goals.
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models
