VDL Groep has reported steady performance for the first six months of 2025, with stable turnover and earnings showing signs of recovery.
In the first half of 2025, the Eindhoven-based family business posted a combined turnover of 2 billion EUR, compared with 2.1 billion EUR in the same period last year. Excluding its Car Assembly division, turnover rose by 2.5 percent. Meanwhile, net profit reached 53 million EUR, up from 3 million EUR a year earlier.
The order book has declined since the start of the year, mainly due to postponed bus deliveries, standing at 1.73 billion EUR in week 35. Employment levels remained unchanged, with more than 14,000 staff across the group.
Willem van der Leegte, President & CEO of VDL Groep, said:A year ago, we were facing a combination of major challenges that had a direct impact on our results, such as developments at VDL Nedcar and delayed bus deliveries. Now that the organisations are in place, or are in the process of being put in place, the road to recovery has begun.
However, developments relating to geopolitical instability and cost pressures are having a direct impact on our global competitive position, particularly for products and services that are less complex and/or difficult to automate.
Divisional Performance
Subcontracting: Turnover decreased to 1.30 billion EUR from 1.39 billion EUR, reflecting weaker conditions in the semiconductor sector.
Buses: Sales increased to 270 million EUR, up from 132 million EUR last year, as deliveries improved. The integration of VDL Van Hool is progressing, though the division continues to operate at a loss. Import duties in the United States and the weaker dollar are adding pressure. To address losses, public transport activities will be concentrated at Roeselare in Belgium, while Valkenswaard will again specialise in coaches. Production of the new third-generation VDL Futura will begin next year, with its launch scheduled at Busworld in Brussels in October.
Finished Products: Turnover rose modestly to 444 million EUR from 432 million EUR. The division remains profitable. In June, VDL acquired Eindhoven-based Crux Agribotics, now renamed VDL Agrobotics, expanding its presence in food technology. Its robotic systems use AI to sort and package fruit and vegetables, supporting automation, reducing labour costs and limiting food waste.
VDL’s activities in Born, Limburg, are being developed along four themes: sustainable mobility, battery and energy systems, high-tech manufacturing and defence. About 250 staff are employed across VDL Nedcar, VDL Special Vehicles, VDL Mobility Innovation Centre and VDL Defentec.
In July, the Ministry of Defence signed an agreement to lease production space at the Born site, enabling direct use for defence projects. VDL says it sees this as an important contribution to expanding Dutch and European defence manufacturing capacity.
Looking ahead, VDL expects turnover and earnings to remain stable in the second half of the year, though the company highlights continuing uncertainty linked to global political and economic pressures. The group has urged policymakers, following next month’s general election, to pursue a consistent long-term industrial strategy to help strengthen the competitive position of the Netherlands and Europe.
