VDL Nedcar

The factory was founded in 1967 by the former Van Doorne's Automobiel Fabriek (DAF), and continued after the takeover of its parent by Volvo in 1972–1975.[5] When financial difficulties threatened to close it down in the early 1990s the government stepped in to ensure its survival.[6]

A joint venture between the Dutch State, Volvo and Mitsubishi Motors began in August 1991, although it was 1996 before the name was officially changed from Volvo Car B.V. to Netherlands Car B.V. On 15 February 1999 the Dutch government sold its shares to its two partners, which then owned 50 percent each. Later, on 30 March 2001, Volvo sold its shares to Mitsubishi, which then owned 100 percent.[7] The plant's long-term survival was in question from 2001, when then Mitsubishi Motors Chief Operating Officer Rolf Eckrodt stated that its annual vehicle production capacity had to increase to 280,000 if it wished to remain economically viable.[8] The last Volvo automobiles were built in 2004.

NedCar produced the Smart Forfour from 2004 to 2006

Between 2004 and 2012 the Mitsubishi Colt[9] was built at Nedcar. The factory also produced the Colt's sister vehicle, the Smart Forfour, for DaimlerChrysler until production ceased in mid-2006. Industrial action was taken in 2005 in protest against the discontinuation of the Smart Forfour, although Mitsubishi confirmed its commitment to keeping the factory open as far as the end of the Colt's life cycle in 2009.[10] Since then, European market versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander have had their production transferred from Japan to the Netherlands from 2008,[11] while the Outlander-based Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007 were also planned to be assembled at Born for the European market,[12] but this was postponed indefinitely because of slow sales of these models.[13] Labour union FNV, NedCar COO Joost Goovaarts and the works council have said it is a step towards securing the future of the plant.[14]

In 2012, Mitsubishi announced it would stop producing cars in the Netherlands.[15]

Dutch industrial group VDL acquired the factory in December 2012 and renamed it VDL Nedcar. VDL entered negotiations with BMW which resulted in the announcement that certain Mini models would be produced in the Limburg factory from 2014 onwards.[16]

In 2017, VDL Nedcar is also producing the BMW X1 (F48). VDL Nedcar shares production with BMW Group plant Regensburg.

After the cessation of Mitsubishi manufacturing in 2012, production restarted in 2014 with the new Mini Hatch model.[17]

Past models and production years

Volvo 480

• DAF 33 (1967–1972)
• DAF 44 (1967–1975)
• DAF 55 (1968–1972)
• DAF 66 (1972–1975)
• DAF 46 (1975–1976)
• Volvo 66 (1975–1981)
• Volvo 340/360 (1976–1991)
• Volvo 480 (1986–1995)
• Volvo 440/460 (1987–1997)
• Volvo S40/V40 (1995–2004)
• Mitsubishi Carisma (1995–2004)
• Mitsubishi Space Star (1998–2005)
• Smart Forfour (2004–2006)
• Mitsubishi Colt (2004–2012)
• Mitsubishi Outlander (2008–2012)

NedCar displayed the Access concept car at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show to demonstrate the company's product design and engineering capabilities. It was a 5-door hatchback, 4.25 m (13.9 ft) long and fitted with a four-cylinder petrol engine. It was constructed with a mix of aluminium and plastics.

• NedCar