VDL will subject tens of thousands of passenger cars a year to rigorous inspections at its Born campus before these vehicles are transported to dealers. For this purpose, VDL Special Vehicles in Born has signed a multi-year contract with Hödlmayr, the Austrian family business that has one of Europe's largest logistics networks in the automotive sector.

VDL Groep is working to further broaden and strengthen its hightech activities. The industrial family business with its headquarters in Brainport Eindhoven is taking its first, substantial steps into the nuclear sector, a key growth market. Operating company VDL KTI in Mol, Belgium, will produce and supply crucial components for the new PALLAS reactor in Petten. The arrival of this new isotope reactor will secure the supply of medical isotopes and allow the Netherlands to continue helping millions of people over the next 50 years and further strengthen its position as a top global producer.

Public transport operator Arriva has placed an order for as many as 157 new electric buses from VDL Bus & Coach, the buses division of VDL Groep. These buses, the new generation VDL Citea, are destined for the new West Brabant concession, which will enter into operation on 6 July 2025.

As forecast, 2024 has been less successful than last year. Events which directly impact the results are coming together, including the further winding down at VDL Nedcar, the unfavourable situation caused by the delayed deliveries by the Buses & Coaches division, delays in the market and rising costs (wages, interest, legislation). The combined turnover has fallen. On a positive note, excluding the Car Assembly division, there has been a slight rise in turnover. In the second half of 2024, the turnover will be in line with the turnover for the first six months. The results are expected to show the first steps on the road to recovery.

Peter Wennink has joined the Supervisory Board of VDL Groep. On 1 September 2024, the 67-year-old former CEO of chip machine maker ASML joined the Supervisory Board of the industrial family business with its headquarters in Eindhoven.

VDL Groep is acquiring parts of the Flemish bus manufacturer Van Hool. The family-owned industrial company headquartered in Eindhoven (NL) is acquiring parts of the bankrupt Van Hool in Belgium. VDL is also acquiring Van Hool’s production facility in North Macedonia. By acquiring these Van Hool plants, VDL Groep plans to further strengthen the activities of its Buses division. The acquisition will immediately save around 1,600 jobs in the high-quality European bus industry. The amounts involved in the acquisition are not being disclosed.

To increase the necessary and sought-after productivity levels in construction, the sector needs some fresh perspective. That includes working with a universal construction system that allows third parties to independently design and complete buildings within construction times that are up to four times faster. This is one of the concepts to be shared by VDL De Meeuw, specialist in ‘flex goods’, on Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 June 2024 at the Provada real estate fair at RAI Amsterdam.

After 11 and 6 years of service respectively, Guustaaf Savenije (66) and Paul van Vuuren (65), both members of the VDL Groep's Executive Board for 3.5 years, will retire with effect from 1 July 2024.

Hermes presented its brand new generation of Citea buses to the public on Monday, 27 May 2024. With the deployment of the first 32 of a total of 64 new generation Citeas from VDL Bus & Coach, Hermes is now in possession of the entirely new generation of Zero-Emission buses in North Brabant.

The OrderOn.com online platform is set to expand. Sister companies VDL HMI and VDL Industrial Modules are joining VDL Groep’s digital metalworking platform. The platform will also be expanded to include new processing services and materials. All these developments will strengthen OrderOn.com’s position as the platform where high-quality metalworking services come together online. VDL Groep launched OrderOn.com in 2022, via its supply company VDL Technics in Boxtel.

VDL Castings Heerlen plans to phase out operations and cease business activities over the course of 2024. To this effect, a request for advice has been submitted to the Works Council. The employees, unions and Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) have been informed. All of the 140 employees of VDL Groep iron foundry, including approximately 115 permanent staff, will be laid off. The intention is to help them transition from employment to employment, either within a VDL Groep sister company or otherwise. VDL is exploring other activities for the site of VDL Castings Heerlen.