The transportation facilities churned out by its automotive sector, although relatively small, is multifaceted.

This sector has produced at least 40,000 jobs, more than 2,500 of which are in R&D and engineering. These include research institutes and service providers in the fields of engineering and testing.

It may also be mentioned that with its densely woven physical infrastructure, the Netherlands is ideal for transport and transshipment. However, it is also a densely populated country with a population that is always on the move, two factors that can cause problems in terms of accessibility, safety and environment.

Solving these problems will require technological innovation in traffic and transport, not only to optimize existing transport systems but also to develop new, advanced ones. Both new and established companies in the automotive sector are welcoming the opportunity to explore such innovations. But which are these companies?

Vehicle Manufacturers

The Holland vAutomotive Federation, the industry platform, says that Dutch assembly lines are capable of producing complete vehicles in modern and efficient planners. The only largescale manufacturer of passenger cars in the Netherlands, NedCar, can even produce two different types of car on the same assembly line thanks to its ultra-modern production system.

The heavy DAF trucks and cutting edge DAF engines were developed in the Netherlands and are manufactured there, as are Scania trucks. Developers and manufacturers of modern touring coaches for travelers and city buses, i.e., VDL BOVA, VDL Berkhof and VDL DAF-Bus, are renowned for their exceptional design. Some developers and manufacturers of special vehicles and trailers tailor their products to suit the environment in which they will be operating.

Finally, manufacturers of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for passenger and freight transport can take some of the pressure off our busy world.

When it comes to fun driving, the Dutch have the Spyker, a make that relaunced itself in 2000 after a 75-year break and that now operates in the upper segment of the market with no less than six models. Spyker also competes in the 24-hour Le Mans every year. Then there’s Dorkenvoort, which makes cars for those who want an old-fashioned, pure driving experience, and the three-wheel Carver for a car that handles like a motorcycle.

Systems, Components and Materials

Dutch companies develop and produce systems, components and materials for all the major makes worldwide. Their clients range from major car manufacturers such as BMW, Daimler Chrysler, General Motors, PSA and the Volkswagen Group to special makes like Maserati, Lamborghini, and Ferrari.

The UK-Dutch steel giant Corus produces 6.5 million tons of refined and clad rolled steel a year for the car industry. Its steel is used in many car bodies and its aluminum in the Audi A2 and the Lamborghini Gallardo, for example. Corus Research, Development & Technology conducts research trials and adds to our knowledge of the properties of aluminum and steel. That allows it to advise customers and designers about the various metals, their specific properties and how they should be used.

Koni supplies its products to every segment of the automotive industry and is also involved in Formula 1 as an official supplier of race shock absorbers and technology for racecar suspensions.

The industry not only encompasses manufacturers of body parts, roof systems, transmissions, tires, electronics and hydraulic systems for convertibles, for example, but also paint and composite producers. Many of these companies belong to major international corporations such as DSM and AKZO. The products and underlying technologies are often world-class, and most of the companies operate on the international market. Measured in terms of production figures and employment, the Netherlands plays a relatively minor role in the automotive industry compared to most other European countries. However, in terms of added value, it is much more prominent than its small size would suggest.

Specific Technologies

When it comes to automotive-specific technologies and the technologies applied in the automotive industry, the Netherlands has a moderate to very strong position in the market. The basis for this position can be sought in Dutch companies and research institutes, which collaborate closely. Research institutes often gear their R&D activities towards general social issues, for example, safety, energy efficiency, a healthier environment and traffic congestion.

The Netherlands puts a lot of effort into developing clean and energy-efficient truck engines, alternative and renewable fuels, crash behavior and safety. Another point of interest is the development of “smart vehicles/small roads”, i.e., research on the interaction between vehicles and the infrastructure. If we add to that the advanced drive assemblies, the robust, fault-tolerant control systems and embedded systems and simulation techniques (virtual testing), then it becomes obvious that the Dutch automotive industry has a lot to offer.