Netherlands – Dutch truck manufacturer, DAF Trucks NV, based in Eindhoven, a subsidiary of Paccar Inc, the owner of several truck brands (including Peterbilt, Kenworth and Leyland Trucks) based in Bellevue, Washington has had an impressive last 12 months with positive sales figures, manufacturing investments and many more company highlights we are set to bring you, as the company successfully managed to navigate and innovate during a global pandemic and components shortage.

DAF New vocational truck range

Let’s start with DAF’s new product offerings. Earlier this month, T&BB attended a DAF ride-and-drive event in Limburg, Netherlands, to showcase its new generation XD, XF, XG and XG+ range of double-driven tractors and rigids for off- and on-road applications. These include the new XDC and XFC construction vehicles (available in 8x4, 6x4 and 4x2 axle configurations), which come with a steel bumper, steel radiator protection plate, two LED fog lights for added visibility and a lower step as an option. Both vehicles have a high ground clearance of up to 40 centimetres and an approach angle of 25 degrees which makes them suitable for applications which require regular off-road driving.

For traction under tough conditions, DAF displayed its XDC and XFC trucks with a choice of double-drive, low-maintenance tandems. This ranges from a 19-tonne lightweight tandem with single reduction, leaf spring suspension and disc or drum brakes to 21- and 26-tonne variants with single reduction, disc brakes and air suspension. For heavy and off-road applications, the 21 and 26-tonne tandem is also available with hub reduction.

The entire range of DAF tandem sets is also available for the new on-road 6x4 and 8x4 new-generation DAF vehicles, needing high payloads. The 6x4 and 8x4 rigids are available as XD and XF. The 6x4 tractor is available as an XG and XG⁺, as are 8x4 rigids with a steered trailing axle. The 8x4 heavy-duty tractor with steered pusher axle for exceptional transport applications is available as an XF, XG and XG⁺. For applications that require extra traction, DAF offers a hydraulic front-wheel drive option for 4x2 tractor versions of the XD, XDC, XF and XFC. This PXP system can be activated via a switch on the dashboard.

Harald Seidel, President of DAF Trucks said that he hopes this new range will add an additional revenue stream to the books, giving its clients greater value through improved vehicle performance.

DAF expand Eindhoven factory for e-truck manufacture

The company have invested heavily over the last year in its electric truck technologies and manufacturing capabilities. This was demonstrated in April as DAF announced expansion plans for its Eindhoven factory to accommodate the assembly of its electric truck range, with series production of the XD and XF Electric truck range to commence in spring 2023. DAF is aiming for the facility to produce several thousand of these vehicles per annum by operating two new assembly lines. The glider is manufactured on DAF’s existing main truck production line. The 4x2 and 6x2 rigids and 4x2 tractors are then completed to XD and XF Electric trucks in an eight-step process on the electric truck assembly production line. The battery packs are assembled on a sub-assembly line and due to the modular design, these battery packs can be mounted on various positions on the chassis depending on the customer’s requirements.

T&BB covered the launch of the DAF XD and XF Electric trucks in an earlier article.

DAF assembly line in Eindhoven factory

DAF manufacturing milestone

Staying on the topic of manufacturing, May ushered in a major milestone for the company, selling 50,000 of its new-generation trucks in the fastest time in its history. The milestone vehicle, a white DAF XG, was officially delivered to Dutch customer Kleijn Transport. The new generation DAF XD, XF, XG and XG+ are the only trucks on the market so far to comply with the new European Masses and Dimensions regulations, which allows for a more aerodynamic and spacious vehicle design.

DAF XG handover, with Harald Seidel, President of DAF Trucks (Far Right)

Harald Seidel said:

Never before in our 95-year history has the impressive milestone of 50,000 trucks been reached so quickly after market launch. This illustrates the success of our New Generation DAF trucks. The milestone acknowledges the excellent characteristics of the vehicles and is also a reflection of the industry-leading quality our dedicated employees deliver to our customers every day.

Significant orders

There was plenty to be excited about for DAF shareholders as that same month, they secured a GBP 160 million 1,500 mixed order of new electric and diesel trucks from the UK commercial vehicle contract hire and leasing specialist, the Asset Alliance Group, with deliveries set to begin in late 2023.

A majority of the order will consist of the DAF’s new generation XF and XG tractor units, with a portion, consisting of the XD tractors and rigids in both electric and diesel drivelines. All of these vehicles have been purchased with DAF’s Repair and Maintenance (R&M) fleet packages, to be maintained through the DAF dealer network with 130 locations across the UK and Ireland.

Russell Patmore, Truck Sales Director at DAF UK Ltd, said:

As the market-leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in the UK, we are delighted to supply a range of New Generation electric and diesel models over three years to meet long-haul and distribution applications. These trucks uniquely take advantage of the latest weights and dimension legislation to secure class-leading performance in both electric and diesel format.

DAF financial report 2022

All of these gains showed in DAF’s 2022 financial results and market report. DAF reported record production numbers in 2022 during a tumultuous time with component supply shortages. DAF produced (2022) 68,000 units with a high number coming from the new Generation DAF XD series. 56,000 of these were medium and heavy-duty CF, XF, XG and XG+ trucks (49,000 in 2021) and 12,000 were LF distribution trucks (11,000 in 2021). 7,500 trucks were sold outside of the EU in 2022.

The company increased its European market share in the heavy-duty truck sector (16t gvw +) to a record 17.3% (2021: 15.9%) and achieved market leadership in six European countries including the United Kingdom (31.1%), the Netherlands (32.5%), Belgium (23.6%), Poland (22.4%), Hungary (24.4%) and Bulgaria (26.4%). It also reported 2,700 PACCAR engines were shipped to OEMs representing a 20% rise compared with last year’s engine sales of 2,250 units.

DAF set new records for 2022

Looking at the year ahead, Harald Seidel, said: “It is estimated that European truck industry registrations in the 16+ tonne market in 2023 will be in the range of 270,000 - 310,000 trucks. With our full array of New Generation DAF XD, XF, XG and XG⁺ trucks and a complete series of Electric trucks, DAF is in an excellent position for yet another excellent year. Thanks to our industry-leading trucks and first-class services and together with our wonderful employees and professional dealers, we are ready for the next step in success.”

New leadership at DAF Trucks UK

Finally, a bit closer to home, the month of May saw a major shakeup at the top of DAF’s UK subsidiary as David J. Kiss replaced Laurence Drake as the new Managing Director of DAF UK. Kiss has been with Paccar Inc for over 16 years, having been MD of DAF Hungary. He most recently occupied the position of Sales Director for Paccar Parts Europe. Kiss has an MBA from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, and a BA in Business Studies from the International Business School in Budapest. Kiss will report to Richard Zink, Director of Marketing & Sales, at DAF Trucks headquarters in Eindhoven.

David J. Kiss DAF UK Managing Director

The new MD plans on growing the UK business by bolstering its dealership and service network. Recently they have worked with GB DAF, (an official UK service partner) who have opened a 1.6-acre service centre at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) costing GBP 3.2 million, bolstering the company’s aftermarket footprint in the UK. The facility includes a 15,000-square-foot workshop with the necessary infrastructure to service traditional internal combustion engine-powered trucks as well as electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. There are five, 28-metre long, fully equipped workshop bays and an outside parking area for 12 full-length tractor-trailer articulated vehicles. The centre is on its way to being an approved tachograph centre and with the necessary DVSA authorisation, it will be able to provide MoT preparation, testing and certification services, in the near future. This is now the third GB DAF location, with service centres in Banbury and Gatwick.

New GB DAF centre in Daventry, UK