Here's WHY there are SO MANY AMERICAN pickup trucks in The Netherlands!! 🇳🇱 🇺🇸

I'm an American expat who has been living in the Netherlands for the past 2 years. I've always wondered why there are so many large American pickup trucks in the Netherlands....and I think I've figured out why.

Update in 2024: The tax benefit (grey license plate) for these will likely come to an end in 2025 in the Netherlands due to requirements for business vehicles to be electric to qualify. Since making this video, I've seen an increase in the number of pickup trucks around the Netherlands, as people are trying to take advantage of the tax benefit while they still can!

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#expat #RAM #truck #Amsterdam #RAMsterdam #pickup
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[Kerleem]

What do you think about these trucks? Let me know!

[bcube]

Italian here. I can assure you that in the last 5 years alone I have noticed the same trend here as well, the number of American trucks on Italian roads skyrocketed. Same business owner advantages you mention are valid here. The difference in Italy is that roads are even narrower since most medieval town have been built with wagons in mind 200 years ago.

[carwashgaming]

I like how the fuel in the US is almost 1/4 the cost of what we pay in the Netherlands

[Wargasm]

Dutch people are tall. It makes perfect sense that they can finally own a vehicle they are comfortable in.

[XFanmarX]

As a Dutch person this has perplexed me as well. The most direct answers I got were the same two arguments you made in the video. Work: they have a job in construction or the like and having a work vehicle you also use privately can be very cost-efficient. Or luxury: people like the space and the idea of a owning a large, luxury vehicle.

But as someone who's worked in grocery delivery, I really didn't understand people who live in old, tiny streets and one day decided to block half of the road with a truck they're obviously not using for work but just their standard day-to-day car. There are other luxury or spacious options that are a more comfortable/safer/cost efficient driving experience. Oh well, in the end it's just taste I guess.

[Alex-ismd]

I'm from Slovakia and I live in a small city but I also noticed that people not only buy American trucks but also American sports cars like Challengers, Mustangs and Camaros. I think the reason here atleast, is that we just a like a big engine like an American V8. Further more it's more affordable to buy American sports car/muscle car then something like Mercedes AMG or Audi RS if you are looking for a fast car.
All in all I'm seeing more american cars in my country also and I love it.








PS: Someone could start a trend with JDMs in Europe because I don't see them that often.

[frenchypb]

French and US expatriate here: I moved from LA to the East of France (Luxembourg area) and I noticed Rams are very popular - i see at least 5/6 every day, also Ford Rangers or sometimes F150s. The reason is tied to the business taxes (and they"re all flex fuel). Also, RAMs are officially imported here through a few dealerships (with factory warranties etc). In luxemburg I even found a Cadillac dealership.

[mustpaike]

Same here in Estonia. Up until 2007 or so American cars were just an enthusiast thing. But then, with the 2007 Escalade, the presence of those just exploded. And for the past few years some official dealerships for Dodge Ram have done a good job, so that Ram 1500 trucks from 2009 and up are as common as BMWs.

Here too, part of it is taxation. And part of it is running LPG which is half the cost of gasoline.
But a big chunk is also that since the 2007 Escalade, the interiors and performance of American SUVs and trucks has taken a big leap. I mean if your choice it between a fully loaded Ram 1500 or a Ford F150 and a Base Audi Q7 or BMW X5, it is gonna be really difficult to justify the latter, especially with that lounge of a rear seat, semi-decent bed and nearly 400hp on the tap, even with LPG

Another big chunk is, that only 10 years ago, the 150/1500 series US trucks had a paltry 500kg or thereabouts of carry weight. If you wanted more, you had to go for 250/2500 series, which had a GVWR of over 3.5 tons metric, which meant a truck licence, additional road tax, etc. While the barebones Japanese mid-size trucks were small, uncomfortable, but could carry a metric ton of stuff in their bed. But since the US trucks have introduced aluminum in their construction, those huge trucks have gotten lighter. 4WD Rams can carry over 800kg and still be under 3.5 tons GVWR, The best I've seen was from a 4WD Chevy Silverado (or was it a GMC Sierra Denali) which had 1.06 tons of carry weight.

At this point it becomes a real question: Do I spend 40k on a fully loaded mid-size truck with cloth seats and the same 4 cylinder diesel it has had for the past 20 years? Or do I get an averagely equipped 400hp full size truck with leather, comfortable seating, and the same capabilities hauling and towing for 59k and use it also as a family hauler?

Just to make a long comment even longer, when you need to haul stuff. In a mid-size pickup or an European SUV, you are more likely to get a trailer for towing bigger stuff. But trailering speed limits are 80-100kph. With a truck, you have a bed 1.7-2m in length, you secure your stuff properly and can do 120 or 130kph+ with no issues.

[hansonel]

American pickups are also common in Scandinavia, which makes sense due to the winters there. Interesting learning about why there is a trend of Dutch and Germans buying large pickup trucks like Dodge Ram's and such.

[MitchH]

Funny fact: you have to disable the rear window from opening (make it fixed) otherwise tax authorities may cancel the grey plate and charge every tax advantage back + 100% fine

[liamdenkers]

Another thing to consider is that in many cities you can only park one vehicle near your house. This means a construction worker would normally have to choose between a family car or a work vehicle. With an american truck you can combine those two in one vehicle.

[MVHens]

In Belgium, they closed a tax loop-hole. If you don't have a business that needs such a pick-up truck, you don't get the recuded rate. You will have to pay the full tax amount, just as any other privately owned car. This means that the sales of these pick-up trucks will go down. Only the real businesses will have them for what they are meant for.

[troyverburg]

The thing about modern pickups is that they are Unbelievably veritable, fits your whole family, tows anything you could think of, hauls a ton (literally in some cases) goes off road (at least mild offroading), and usually have enough power to be some fun.

Really a modern marvel

[MyValki]

I spoke to entrepreneurs buying these in NL, both mentioned how they were much cheaper than vans in purchase and maintenance, and for their purposes all their gear could fit inside it. I also knew about the tax and LPG so I asked one, but he said that didn't factor into his decision.

[vincenzodigrande]

I think it is a bit of a mix between a van, an off road vehicle, an SUV and a five seater car, which understandably makes it ideal for some road users. If you have a gardening firm (hovenier) or if you have a fresh market stall that you tow to all the different cities and towns every day, or frequently need to tow a boat on a trailer, but also want to travel around with the family during holidays, it can be used for a large variety of things. Most Europeans though won't be in a situation where they will actually need a truck, so it will probably stay a rare sight.

[romainDbois]

i'm in France and i own a 1984 F-150, i work in classic car restauration and it's better to tow because of it's power

[ichhabe]

A lot of people here in Norway also love them. A guy I work with is a car nut and he of course own a Ram 1500 : )

[Parrotdise]

Personally I think it has become a general trend in Europe, because I'm also quite surprised to see more and more american cars, and especially pick-ups, here in Switzerland.

[WorldwideHypercars]

i have been waiting for a video that talked about this! being dutch myself, the ram 1500 is by far the most popular truck in the netherlands. they are everywhere and in my town alone you'll see everything from gmc's to tundra's to f150s

[guitarheromartijn]

I just wanted to have one because they fasinate me. So i bought an mk 2 ram1500 but i dont have a company. But damn the thing is fun.