Passenger car sales in the Netherlands have fallen once again, following a very brief recovery in March. Trade association BOVAG suggests that heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty are causing the market to cool.
In April, registrations for new vehicles hit 25,704 units. This represents a drop of nearly 5 per cent compared to the same period last year, wiping out the marginal gains seen the previous month.
Industry experts believe the business sector is intentionally postponing purchases. A spokesperson noted that corporate buyers are likely hesitating to commit to new fleets given the current global instability.
The decline is also being blamed on a “strong final sprint” at the end of last year. Many leasing companies rushed to register cars in late 2025 to avoid less favourable tax rules for company cars that were introduced for 2026.
This surge in late-year activity effectively pulled forward demand, leaving the first few months of this year significantly quieter. This follows a trend already seen in January and February, where sales figures plummeted.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
