To understand the geography of the northern Netherlands, you have to look at where the cars are. In the dense city center of Groningen, bicycles rule. But in the vast, rural eastern regions known as the Veenkoloniën (peat colonies), the automobile is an absolute necessity for survival. This reality is perfectly captured in the advertisement for Roskamp Automaterialen on page 49.
The ad is simple and bold, featuring a red and blue logo and listing two specific locations: Stadskanaal and Veendam. These two towns are the historical and economic anchors of the peat colonies. Roskamp is a B2B and B2C supplier of car parts, tools, and accessories. Their slogan, “Wij zoeken verder waar anderen ophouden!” (We look further where others stop!), speaks to the pragmatic, hard-working mentality of the region. By advertising in the FC Groningen programme, they were targeting the hundreds of independent garage owners and mechanics from the eastern province who travel to the Euroborg every two weeks.
A Look into the Future
By 2026, the automotive parts industry is undergoing the most radical disruption in its history. The rapid transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) means that cars suddenly have drastically fewer moving mechanical parts—no spark plugs, no exhaust systems, no traditional oil filters. Local auto parts dealers like those operating in 2013 have had to fundamentally pivot their inventories, focusing heavily on advanced diagnostics, EV cooling systems, and specialized tires. Yet, in rural areas like Stadskanaal and Veendam, the transition is slower, and the demand for traditional combustion engine parts remains a vital, albeit shrinking, lifeline for the local mechanics who keep the province moving.