bakwagens

Bakwagens are a class of road-going cargo vehicles with a box-shaped cargo area mounted behind the driver’s cab. The defining feature is an enclosed, rigid cargo box that protects goods from weather and theft, typically built on a light truck or commercial chassis. Bakwagens have been widely used in Dutch-speaking regions, especially the Netherlands and Belgium, for urban and regional deliveries by wholesalers, retailers, service firms, and postal or courier operators. They came in various sizes, from compact two- to three-ton payload models, and could be based on purpose-built box bodies or adapted from passenger car platforms.

Historically, bakwagens emerged in the early 20th century with the growth of motorized freight. In the postwar era they became common as a practical, affordable solution for small businesses and street-front retailers, offering easy loading through rear or side doors. Over time, many bakwagens were replaced by purpose-built panel vans and larger light commercial vehicles, while some were kept in use for moving, crafts, or municipal services. The term is often used in Dutch-language automotive literature to describe box-bodied vans and to distinguish them from open flatbed trucks or other wagon types.

Today, the designation bakwagen is largely historical in many contexts, with modern equivalents typically referred to as panel vans, box vans, or light commercial vehicles. The basic concept—secure, box-like cargo space on a movable chassis—remains a common solution for urban freight.