The slow distribution of motor cars in the Netherlands 1896-1939
PhD dissertation (This book is currently sold out.)
The first cars were taken into use in the Netherlands in 1896. More than forty years later, in 1939, the number of cars had increased to 100,000. Between 1900 and 1940, the Netherlands was among the wealthiest countries in Europe and so it was to be expected that it would also have a high car density. However, this was not the case; with regard to the distribution of motor cars, the Netherlands lagged behind other countries, occupying the ninth place in car density behind countries such as France, Great-Britain, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. By examining the influence of entrepreneurs, users, and the government on car distribution, this thesis makes clear why cars were distributed at such a low rate in the Netherlands. The years from 1896 to 1939 are divided into three periods. First the influence of car development and certain social factors on the distribution of the car will be discussed. Subsequently, the influence exerted by users, automobile clubs, Dutch factories, importers, as well as trade organizations and the government (which implemented rules and tax laws, and improved and developed the road system) is further examined.
Publisher: De Bataafsche Leeuw
Date of publication: June 2007
Number of pages: 480 pages