The love for classic cars in the Netherlands continues unabated. Over the past five years, the stock has grown by tens of thousands of cars. To be precise: the fleet of cars aged 40 years and older includes 217.000 vintage cars.
The figures released by Statistics Netherlands do not include vehicles that meet the international classic age limit of thirty years or more. And also not for the vehicles that are eligible for the MRB transitional scheme. In that sense it can be said that CBS is also somewhat incomplete.
The assumption was therefore that vehicles were forty years or older, and that principle provides good news for the industry in any case. The growth has a few important causes. The considerable flight of classics in the Netherlands can be explained, among other things, by the fact that classic cars become increasingly rare and exclusive as they age, also to purchase. It is also becoming more difficult to get a classic from abroad. To give an example: in countries such as France and Italy, respect for their own heritage is also growing. And that increasingly keeps the cars within our own national borders.
And another important factor is the corona period behind us. During that period, many people were looking for an opportunity to enjoy freedom and to practice and/or start a hobby 'in their own circle'. This has also had an influence on the market for classic cars and the associated price tag.
However, that price tag has been anything but a hindering factor. Because during the past five years, the stock of cars aged forty years or older grew by 47.000 copies. The total is therefore 217.000 cars, the majority of which can be found in the category of vehicles that are forty to fifty years old: almost 100.000 units. The average age of a Dutch classic is 53 years.
For those who still adhere to the adage that a classic car is polluting, there is the reassuring thought that on average only 1.800 kilometers are driven per year with a classic car, and the emissions released are really a drop in the ocean. To put it in figures: vintage cars (from 40 years old) are responsible for a total of 0,2% of the total number of kilometers driven in the Netherlands.
It is of course also interesting to see which car brands are most popular in classic circles. Compared to five years ago, classic brand loyalty is rock solid. Volkswagen is number one, with a share of 15 percent and more than 32.000 units. Mercedes Benz and Citroën are in places two and three. Ford and Opel are in fourth and fifth place. Volvo, Fiat and Chevrolet follow. And the classic British brands MG and Triumph complete the top ten in the Netherlands.
The classics following can only be satisfied that classics are popular in the Netherlands. They take you back to how it once was, and connect enthusiasts (young and old) today. The number of events is growing, and an eye for old-fashioned technology and design love remains. Add to this the popularity of younger classics, and the negligible impact on the environment. Then the conclusion is justified that the future for the classic car world looks bright.
>>For those who still adhere to the adage that a classic is polluting, there is the reassuring thought that on average only 1.800 kilometers are driven per year with a classic, and the emissions that are released are really a drop in the ocean . To put it in figures: vintage cars (from 40 years old) are responsible for a total of 0,2% of the total number of kilometers driven in the Netherlands.<
It's a shame that people still cling and want to cling to those nonsensical environmental zones.
It is time for national legislation that bans that local nonsense and nonsense.
PS
My previous post belonged as a response under Hanszonderlastname's post.
So first get out of that backward EU!
Have you ever trusted 1% at all? Ditto Gas-Groningen????
That thought also crossed my mind, what rabbit might the government be pulling out of the hat?
I'll take it Mr. Wiebes still resents that he did not comply with the agreements regarding the transitional arrangement that were made with the interest groups.
The reason was that they expected to raise more money.
A miscalculation, as it turned out.
Sure, Mr. JP, blame the immigrants for everything, and everything you disagree with. If you have talents, which I question, become a politician yourself...
It always remains uncertain whether something will be invented again to keep out the so-called old polluting car. For example, I remember that my classic BMW, which was previously completely exempt as a vintage car, suddenly had to be parked for 3 months again when it was older than 25 years, but not yet 40 years old.
Moreover, 25% of the 217.000 classic cars are not insured and are not allowed on the road. So they don't pollute either.
Let us all remain alert and not allow our hobby with heritage to be taken away with non-arguments.
A classic should be kept indoors in the winter!
Completely agree, JP, just please exempt 1 trip per month to keep things running. Every winter month there is a dry brine-free day.
Yes Gert is correct. Taking billions from the pockets of hardworking citizens, made up by the links. That will save the world. As well as overpopulation in western Europe. And indeed, I have far too many talents to belong to that rabble that calls itself “people's representatives”. But you will undoubtedly be happy with 20 million people in a sickly pile. Because then you won't even be able to drive a car anymore. Never mind that our (car) culture is still alive! Pr.w.end!
A classic car is the most beautiful thing that exists and the enthusiast enjoys it, but the government does not want that and is looking for taxes to make it difficult for the good enthusiast and make him street poor, politicians please love the historical heritage and leave the enthusiast here. enjoy it to the fullest then life is much more beautiful, I am one myself Citroen fanatic!!!!
Unfortunately, many politicians are immigrants. And most people have little interest in it!
Erik, did you count correctly? You rarely see or smell those VW coffee grinders! How about USA cars? GM?! From an inexhaustibly large state! I probably forgot to count, nice articles otherwise!!
Well, what to do with this indeed fairly incomplete news, other than getting the strong feeling that this will undoubtedly quickly lead to an increase in the classic age. Just like for working people, because yes, the money and reliable government. Sorry, got a bit cynical...
In any case, enjoy our classics while you still can, although there is virtually nothing nice left to purchase without having your own money printing press.
Fortunately, I still own a wonderful pickup with a 7,2 liter V8. On LPG, so just nice and clean and indeed very few km/year.
Few cars have been added, the classics we already had have simply gotten older, in The Hague they will probably be lurking at the treasury again when news like this comes along.
My diesels are now all 40 plus, so soon the limit will be raised again by 10 years, for the environment or because the rest of the Netherlands will simply have to pay for its rolling cash cow.
That thought also crossed my mind, what rabbit might the government be pulling out of the hat?
I'll take it Mr. Wiebes still resents that he did not comply with the agreements regarding the transitional arrangement that were made with the interest groups.
The reason was that they expected to raise more money.
A miscalculation, as it turned out.
Prices have risen absurdly in recent years. Always drove and drove older Americans, if you had poor money 'early on' you bought a Caprice or Camaro. If you now look at what these have to cost, it will not make you happy.