Several car brands in the Netherlands have filled an empty niche in the market after World War II. The most famous automaker is DAF Trucks, which replaced the bankrupt DAF company. It is a pioneer in the Dutch car industry, producing its first passenger car in the middle of the 20th century. Now its place is taken by MINI, and only trucks are manufactured under the DAF brand. Spyker supercars are also widely known. They became popular after their successful debut in Formula One.
What is Netherlands Car Brands?
The Dutch automotive industry is supported by several domestic manufacturers: Spyker, Vencer, Donkervoort, DAF, Vandenbrink, VDL Nedcar, Waaijenberg, LandFighter.
Spyker
The modern Spyker company was founded in 2000. It has nothing to do with the old Spyker brand, which began to develop the automotive industry in 1898 and went bankrupt at the beginning of the 20th century. The only thing that unites them is a common name and identity. However, the new cars have hints of the firm’s aviation past. For example, one of the lines sounds like Aileron, and the cars’ details reflect the experience in aircraft engines’ production.
The main products of Spyker are exclusive sports cars of several types. They are hand-picked in our factories. Industrial sites are concentrated in the city of Zeewolde.
Vencer
Vencer was founded in 2010 in the Netherlands but only became widely known in 2013 when it introduced its debut car. The Sovereign Prince of Monaco attended the presentation. The powerful and expensive supercar has propelled Vencer into a niche brand. The first sample was assembled by hand in 2015 and celebrated the car manufacturer’s owner – Robert Cobben. True, the popularity came to him only in Europe because the model is not exported to other markets.
Donkervoort
More than 20 years have passed since Donkervoort moved from a small barn to a building in Lelystad. During this time, she managed to develop and produce many new cars using Audi engines. The very first car of the automaker was manufactured in 1978. It contained parts from Ford. In the next model, Donkervoort engineers took care of the safety by equipping the vehicle with double brakes.
The company is named after its founder, Joop Donkervoort. The appearance of the cars was borrowed from the compact two-seater Lotus Seven sports cars. Simultaneously, the modern concept provides for the absence of power steering, dynamic stabilization systems, and electronic braking systems.
DAF
The founder of DAF is a former director of the brewery. He was fond of car repair, so in 1928 he opened a small workshop to manufacture trailers. Success came to him in the post-war period, when there was an acute shortage of trucks and cars in the car market. The manufacturer filled an empty niche with its first buses and trucks. He borrowed imported engines for a long time until he developed his motor. DAF now only manufactures trucks because the brands of cars and buses were sold in the last century. The current owner of the enterprise is the American corporation PACCAR.
Vandenbrink
Vandenbrink specializes in car design and has been working on it since 2006. The first project was Ferrari’s interpretation. Michiel van den Brink, one of the co-founders who gave his name to the company, played a huge role in the creative process. True, in 2010, he left the business, deciding to become a “free artist.” The company continued to provide bodybuilding and custom design services under the leadership of co-founder Robert Koumans.
VDL Nedcar
The VDL Nedcar automobile plant managed to change many owners – from the van Doorne brothers, who founded it in 1967, to the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi. Also, it belonged to the Swedish concern Volvo and was even named after it Volvo Car B.V. Then the Dutch government bought out a stake in VDL Nedcar. The lineup has also been constantly changing. Now the manufacturer is engaged in the manufacture of BMW X1 and Mini Hatch cars.
Waaijenberg
The Dutch company Waaijenberg produces compact cars that are not capable of high speed and cannot travel on motorways. Slow-speed microcars are designed for disabled drivers and wheelchair users. The first specialized car appeared in the Waaijenberg range in 1978, 12 years after establishing this car manufacturer.
LandFighter
LandFighter parts are manufactured in the Republic of China and then shipped to the Netherlands for final assembly. The lineup is limited to ATVs, which are tested on mud and snow tracks before being sold. Vehicles are allowed in EU countries. The main markets for LandFighter ATVs are Portugal, Spain, Luxembourg, and Belgium.
Ruska
Ruska was founded in 1968 and has existed for 13 years, creating various models of beach buggies. She had to close after introducing the BVB tax in Holland, which had to be paid to trade her cars. Before financial troubles, Ruska was one of the most promising and successful automakers, and its open cars on Volkswagen chassis were in demand both domestically and abroad.
Which car brand is best in the Netherlands?
There are not many domestic car brands in the Netherlands, and they are not in high demand. In the sports car segment, Spyker supercars can be distinguished; decent trucks are produced under the DAF brand, and Vencer is one of the main niche brands, but its products are only available in Europe.
What is the most popular car in the Netherlands?
In 2021, the first place in popularity in the Netherlands was taken by the Kia Niro, a Japanese-made hybrid compact crossover. It was caught up by the Swedish company Volvo XC40.
Does the Netherlands use cars?
Yes, people in the Netherlands are eager to buy and drive cars, and the number of drivers is increasing over the years. The notion that the Dutch only use bicycles is not true. Only low-income families do not have motorized transport there.
