Netherlands vehicle sales rise sharply in first half of 2026

New motorcycle registrations in the Netherlands surged by more than 15% year on year in the first half of 2026, with 14,062 bikes sold and June alone seeing 2,622 registrations, up 19% from the previous year. The BMW R 1300 GS/Adventure was the best‑selling model, and the number of Dutch motor‑license holders grew to almost 1.6 million.

Passenger‑car registrations for the same period totaled 174,789, a 4.2% decline versus the previous year, but June showed a strong rebound with 39,015 new cars, 13.4% higher than June 2025. Hybrids accounted for 53.9% of registrations, while fully electric vehicles increased their market share to 36.5%. Toyota led June sales with 3,710 registrations, and electric car sales reached 17,257 units, representing 44.2% of the month’s market.

The data suggest a recovery in the Dutch vehicle market after a slowdown, driven by higher demand for hybrid and electric models and a notable rise in motorcycle popularity as both a leisure and practical transport option.