Last year, DAF Trucks showed excellent results. Truck production reached 60,000 units, indicating strong demand for transportation as a result of the rapid economic recovery. The most famous event was the appearance of the new generation of DAF XF, XG and XG⁺. These long-haul models kept the Eindhoven plant fully loaded with new orders.
The pinnacle of the success of the new developments was the awarding of two of the most prestigious awards in the truck industry. XF, XG and XG⁺ of the new generation were named the best trucks in the world in 2022 (“International Truck of the Year 2022”), thanks to the application of fundamentally new standards of efficiency, safety and driver comfort. In addition, the DAF XF H concept trucks2with a hydrogen internal combustion engine received the prestigious award in the field of innovation “Truck Innovation Award 2022”. The public recognition confirms the readiness of the new DAF truck platform for alternative powertrain technologies and an even greener future.
60,000 trucks
It is clear that 2021 has been a very difficult year for DAF, mainly due to the lack of spare parts as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, now it is not the demand for trucks that determines the volume of production, but the availability of a sufficient number of chips and other components. In 2021, around 49,000 heavy-duty and medium-duty CF and XF vehicles rolled off the production line (compared to 37,600 in 2020), as well as around 11,000 LF vehicles for regional transport (9,000 in 2020).
Market leader in 6 European countries
DAF secured a market share of 15.9% (2020: 16.3%) in Europe in the heavy-duty segment (16+ tons) and 10.1% (previously 9.5%) in the light-duty segment. As in previous years, in 2021 DAF remains the leader in the heavy-duty vehicle market in the Netherlands (28.5%), Great Britain (29.4%), Poland (24.3%), Hungary (24.8%), Bulgaria (23.8%) and Portugal (19.0%). DAF is also the undisputed European market leader in the heavy-duty truck segment.
Sales outside of Europe
DAF sold 8,600 trucks outside the European Union in 2021, compared to 5,900 vehicles in 2020. This figure included a large order for heavy-duty trucks from Colombia and an order for several dozen fully equipped garbage trucks in Ghana. In addition, the 10,000 locally assembled truck was produced in Taiwan, where DAF is the leader among European brands in the heavy-duty market segment. DAF ended the year in the number one position in Israel and made significant gains in Australia and Brazil.
Sales of PACCAR power lines increased by 10%
In 2021, DAF sold 2,250 PACCAR engines to leading bus and special equipment manufacturers. This is an increase of more than 10% compared to 2020, when DAF Components sold 2,000 engines. In 2021, DAF received two orders from the Belgian Armed Forces. In the coming years, this order will deliver 900 four-wheel drive trucks with a conventional or ballistic cab.
“Record after record”
“At least 40% of all recent mileage trucks sold were delivered with a DAF MultiSupport repair and maintenance contract. This is a record for our company, – comments Richard Zink, member of the DAF board of directors and head of the marketing and sales department. – This means that more and more customers are choosing qualified support based on the reduction of total costs and maximum operational readiness. A record number of trucking companies took advantage of PACCAR Financial’s favorable offers, which also sold an unprecedented number of vehicles with mileage.”
Further growth in 2022
“Thanks to the economic recovery in Europe, the demand for trucks is increasing, and the new generation DAF XF, XG and XG⁺ – says Harry Walters, President of DAF Trucks. – These are the first and only trucks on the market, developed in accordance with the new European restrictions on weight and dimensions. In this way, the XF, XG and XG⁺ set a new benchmark for efficiency, safety and driver comfort. We expect the European market to reach 260,000 – 300,000 trucks in 2022. With our advanced product program and first-class service, we are poised to continue growing with our professional dealer network.”
