There aren’t too many people (or businesses come to think of it) who would confess that 2020 was a good year for anything. So, when DAF Trucks say that they had a good year, they must mean it.
Perhaps it is a bit of a brave face, as they talk a lot about market share, when actual sales of new trucks cannot have reached anywhere near record levels. It is more the case that they did better than the others in an otherwise shocking year.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), registration of trucks over 16 tonnes GVW were down 27.3% across the EU and down by as much as 35.9% in the UK.
Second largest market share in company history
According to DAF Trucks, the company strengthened its position as a global commercial vehicle manufacturer in 2020. Market share in the European heavy duty (16 tonne+) segment grew to 16.3%, in addition, the latest generation trucks were introduced in Taiwan and Brazil.
In 2020, DAF registered 37,580 trucks on a total European heavy duty market of 230,400 vehicles, resulting in a market share of 16.3% (2019: 16.2%), which is the second best achievement in the company’s history.
The European medium duty truck market (6 to 16 tonne) totalled 41,400 units and DAF’s market share was 9.5% (2019: 9.7%).
Market leader in 6 European countries
DAF continued heavy duty market leadership in the Netherlands (31.8%), the UK (31.6%), Poland (23.7%), Hungary (27.9%) and Bulgaria (25,4%). The Dutch truck manufacturer also gained 2020 market leadership in Portugal (21.8%). DAF is the European leader in tractors and the number one import brand in the two largest truck markets in Europe: Germany and France. Market share in the heavy-duty rigids segment increased to 11.5%.
Sales outside Europe
Last year, DAF sold 5,880 trucks outside the EU and introduced its latest generation vehicles in Taiwan (Euro 6), Brazil (Euro 5) as well as in the Middle East and Africa (Euro 3 and 5). The 10,000th locally assembled truck was delivered in Taiwan, where DAF is the heavy-duty market leader among European manufacturers. DAF is also the market leader in Israel and Belarus. In 2020, DAF sold more than 2,000 PACCAR engines to leading manufacturers of coaches, buses and special vehicles worldwide.
‘Record after Record’
“In 2020, we sold a record number of DAF MultiSupport Repair and Maintenance contracts, realized a record PACCAR Financial market share and delivered a record number of DAF Used Trucks to their new owners,” said Richard Zink, member of the Board of Management with responsibility for Marketing and Sales. “Our aim is to further strengthen our leading position, and that is why we are working together with our dealers to strategically expand our network of over 1,100 professional dealers and service points. Last year, for example, our independent dealers opened a total of 45 new dealerships in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa.”
Environmental leadership
In addition to the continued development of combustion engine technology, DAF is investing in the latest technologies for battery and hybrid electric powertrains, supporting lower CO2 emissions and improved air quality in urban areas. In addition, as part of a field test, DAF customers are already benefiting from the advantages of the CF Hybrid truck that employs its zero emissions battery technology when driving in city areas and applies its clean diesel engine on regional routes. DAF announced production of the new CF Electric truck, offering an extended electric range of 200 kilometres and recently introduced the LF Electric with a 280 kilometre zero emission range.
Ready to grow further
In 2020, DAF produced more than 37,600 CF and XF trucks and almost 9,000 LF vehicles. “European truck demand improved in the second half of the year along with the European economies,” according to Harry Wolters, DAF Trucks President. “It is estimated that the 2021 European truck market will continue to recover and will be in the range of 250,000 – 280,000 trucks. We are ready for further growth by delivering our customers premium quality, exceptional fuel efficiency and superior driver comfort.”
