DAF Trucks reports ‘solid performance’

DAF Trucks has said in a press statement that it can look back on an excellent year. The production of trucks reached 60,000 units, a clear reflection of the high demand for transport as a result of the strong recovery in the economy.

The company said that it goes without saying that, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 was also a very challenging year for DAF, largely due to the scarcity of parts. In fact, it was not the demand for trucks that ultimately determined the production numbers but rather the availability of chips and other components.

In 2021, about 49,000 heavy and medium duty CF and XF trucks came off the production line (compared with 37,600 in 2020) as well as about 11,000 LF distribution trucks (9,000 in 2020).

DAF achieved a market share of 15.9% (2020: 16.3%) in Europe in the heavy (16 ton+) segment and 10.1% (was 9.5%) in the light segment. As in previous years, DAF was the 2021 heavy duty market leader in the Netherlands (28.5%), the UK (29.4%), Poland (24.3%), Hungary (24.8%), Bulgaria (23.8%) and Portugal (19.0%). DAF also remained the undisputed market leader in Europe in the heavy duty tractor segment.

DAF sold 8600 trucks outside the European Union in 2021, compared with 5900 in 2020. This included a large order for heavy duty trucks from Colombia and an order for several dozen fully-fitted garbage trucks in Ghana. Furthermore, the 10,000th locally built truck was produced in Taiwan, where DAF is the market leader among European brands in the heavy segment. DAF also ended the year as market leader in Israel and made great strides in amongst others Australia and Brazil.

“Thanks to the upturn in the economy, there is an increasing demand for trucks in Europe and with the New Generation DAF XF, XG and XG? DAF has an excellent product on its hands,” says Harry Wolters, president of DAF Trucks.

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“These are the first and only trucks on the market to comply with the new European regulations for vehicle masses and dimensions. This means that the XF, XG and XG? set a new benchmark in the areas of efficiency, safety and driver comfort. We expect the European truck market to reach somewhere between 260,000 and 300,000 vehicles in 2022. Thanks to our industry-leading model programme and first-class services, we are ready, together with our professional dealers, to achieve further growth.”

DAF Brand Manager Tim Car said that locally, DAF Trucks Australia posted a very encouraging 5.2% heavy-duty market share result with a record 682 trucks delivered; giving the brand a sixth position ranking on the ladder at the end of 2021.

“In 2021, DAF production at the Bayswater plant increased to three prime mover variants; the CF 450 FTT with Sleeper Cab, CF 480 FTT with Sleeper Cab and CF 530 FTT with Sleeper Cab, as well as a locally engineered and produced 8x4 rigid cab/chassis model – CF 340 FAD with Day Cab,” he said.

Mr Car went on to tell Trucksales.com.au that PACCAR had a good supply of kits which are used to build the trucks here. “We’re hoping to increase our market share to 6% this year,” he said.

Mr Car added that the 11-litre DAFs were selling very well. “In fact 54 per cent of our MX11 sales were to new buyers, so that is very encouraging.

“We’re facing a few hurdles this year but we are looking forward to a very successful year,” he concluded.