Introduction
If you are thinking about buying a DAF truck for sale but would like more background information on the company history, the parts support and the stability, then read on. We have put together a detailed analysis of the business and included some background regarding the history of the brand and the truck models it manufactures.
The Netherlands-headquartered business is almost 100 years old and has been owned by US-based PACCAR since 1996 after going into bankruptcy in 1993. This gives the business a very strong financial base – PACCAR has never made a loss in any year in the last 85 years. The business turns over more than $36bn and has assets of more than $40 billion.
We guess that if you are looking to buy a used DAF truck, the company is a safe bet.
In general, DAF makes ‘sensible trucks’. This means that they do not compete in the glamour stakes and the chest bashing maximum horsepower races. Their trucks are typically designed with the view to get the job done right for the majority of the market. They rarely are the first to market with brand new technology and prefer to get the systems right before implementing them on their trucks. The exception to this is the 2020 launch of their new generation of truck cabs which gave the company many years head start against its rivals. This range of trucks (XF XG, XG+) were built to revised dimensions regulations, meaning the cabs can be larger and more aerodynamic. More on this later on.
As a UK truck buyer thinking of buying a DAF truck, you will be pleased to know that, not only are they worth a few quid, they are also market leaders in the UK with around a 30% share of the market and lead the markets in the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary and Bulgaria. Across Europe this share averages to around 16% of the market – behind only Mercedes Trucks.
In 2023 DAF manufactured a record 69,800 trucks.
Finally, if you are a patriotic buyer of products, you will be pleased to know that DAF is the only truck manufacturer currently assembling medium and heavy-duty trucks in the UK. All DAF trucks for the right-hand drive UK market are assembled in Leyland by DAF’s sister company Leyland Trucks.
DAF Trucks History
In 2028, DAF Trucks will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the company by Hub van Doorne in a small workshop in a brewery in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The workshop evolved into a trailer manufacturing business in 1932 and the company name was changed to Van Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek (Van Doorne’s semi-trailer factory) which is where we get the name DAF – so the DAF Trucks name comes from making trailers, not trucks – the company no longer makes any trailers, in fact.
It wasn’t until after the end of the Second World War that DAF ventured into making trucks and changed the company name accordingly to Van Doorne’s Automobiel Fabriek, which fortunately still spelt DAF.
The truck business was a success and the company started to design and manufacture its own cabs and engines (the cabs were originally added by coachbuilders along with the bodies). Leading the way, DAF was early to install turbochargers on their own engines as far back as 1959 and the first to introduce proper sleeper cabs and tilting cab trucks in the 1960s.
It was at this stage that DAF entered into the car market with its unique constantly variable driveline, the variomatic-transmission DAF 600. The car business only lasted until 1975 when it was sold off to Volvo.
With hindsight, the 1987 merger of DAF and Leyland trucks may not have been the best decision made by DAF which then began to trade as Leyland DAF in the UK (but DAF everywhere else). Just six years later, DAF NV went into administration and became subject to a management buyout.
The current, successful era really got going in 1996 with the sale of the business to PACCAR, a US business with existing truck operations with the Kenworth and Peterbilt brands and deep pockets. PACCAR bought the UK manufacturing business, Leyland Trucks just two years later.
DAF Trucks Historic Model Range
DAF’s first truck was the A30 launched in 1949. The truck was initially manufactured as a chassis only – the body builder would make the cab and body at the time. A few years later, DAF started to make their own cabs in a new factory built to manufacture trucks.
The first larger trucks – the 2000 series launched in 1957 was not a resounding success, unlike the 2600 in 1962 which set new standards in comfort for long distance haulage. At the start of the 1970s the F1600 – F2000 series was launched and was characterised by tilt cabs, to enable easy and fast servicing of the engines.
Along came the 2800 with a cab more than 20 centimetres wider than the F2000 gave DAF a new flagship. It had a sleeper cab with two full-size bunks and the new powerful charge air cooled 11.6-litre DAF engines.
In 1975 to 1977 lighter trucks came along in collaboration with the club of four – Saviem (now Renault), Volvo and Magirus-Deutz – the DAF F700, F900 then the 500DE and 1100DD.
At the end of the 1970s, DAF made their last trailers in order to concentrate on the manufacture of trucks.
In 1985 the ‘Space Cab’ was introduced for the first time – on a DAF 3600ATi and the same year saw the new light- and medium weight trucks launched with a cab shared with Renault – the 600, 800 and 1000 series – forerunners to today’s LF and XB ranges.
In 1987 the 95 series was launched to replace the 3600 series – this cab designed alongside Spanish company ENASA (since bought by Iveco) had been used on DAF trucks right up until 2020.
1992 saw the launch of the 75 and 85 series – the forerunner to the CF series as well as a reworking of the 95 series. Given the financial state of the business in the years following, the first revised product to emerge was the reworking of the 95 to the 95XF in 1997 with the 75 and 85 series morphing into the DAF CF series in 1998 with the DAF LF following one year later.
Since this time, engines were updated and emissions targets hit, but the range largely stayed the same – LF, CF and XF with a fresh look given to the range for Euro 6 in 2013 and a revamp again in 2017.
2020 saw the start of a range overhaul with a brand new cab for the XF, extended for a new model the XG and XG+ with the CF replacement, the XD starting in 2021. The LF has now been rebranded as the XB, although maintains the existing cab.
Electric versions of the XD and XF are starting to sell in 2024.
DAF Trucks Current Model Range
The DAF Trucks range spans from 7.5 tonnes to 120 tonne heavy haulage models with 8×4 tractor units. DAF is the first manufacturer to incorporate new European regulations that define vehicle dimensions. The trucks’ streamlined silhouette adds to 10% improved fuel efficiency on the XF, XG and XG+ models.
DAF XB
The light- to medium weight range is the DAF XB which took over from the LF range. Using the existing cabs that have been around since the 1980s. There is a choice of two engines and seven power outputs. The 5-litre PACCAR PX-5 is available at 170,190 and 210hp and the larger, 7-litre PACCAR PX-7 comes in 230, 260, 290 or 310 hp variants. As standard, they are fitted with 8 -speed, fully automatic PowerLine transmission, but there are optional 6- and 9-speed manual versions available.
A construction version is also available – the XBC series with a 19-tonne chassis and a high ground clearance of 255 millimetres, a large approach angle of 25 degrees and a steel front radiator plate to protect the engine bay.
There is an electric version available at 12, 16 and 19 tonnes GVW which has a choice of battery packs and uses the CCS system familiar to electric car owners.
DAF XD
Replacing the DAF CF series, the XD (D for Distribution) is available as a Day Cab, Sleeper Cab or Sleeper High Cab and comes as a tractor unit or rigid truck with a choice of 2, 3 or 4 axles. Operating from 18 tonnes GVW right up to 44 tonnes GTW for the tractor units.
The XD shares its looks with its larger sibling the XF/XG and benefits from a low drag coefficient. For lighter weight operation, the XD shares the PX-7 with the XB range. Outputs are the same 230, 260, 290 and 310hp. For heavier operation, the MX-11 is at hand with five outputs: 300, 340, 370, 410 and 450.
As with the XB, there is a construction version available – the XDC. It is available as a rigid or a tractor unit with 4×2, 6×4 and 8×4 axle configurations.
The transmission for lighter operation is also shared with the XB – the PowerLine 8 speed automatic, whereas the MX-11 powered trucks get the TraXon automated gearbox.
Service intervals are as long as 125,000 kilometres or one year.
DAF XF
The only model name DAF chose to keep in their most recent round of rebranding is the XF. The XF is now the starting point for DAF’s range of wider truck cabs and has been designed to appeal to fleet buyers.
The new XF’s cab is 75mm lower than the outgoing 2017 model year version and there is a 175mm step in the middle, where there is 1900mm standing height. The front has been stretched by 16cm to help with the aerodynamics. The cab is 2.36m long – compared to the 2.69m for the XG versions.
Truck buyers can choose between the MX-11 and the MX-13 engines and the TraXon automated gearboxes.
The XF has the widest range of engine options – the MX-11 is available as a 370, 410 and 450hp whilst the MX-13 can be specified as a 430, 480 or 530hp. It also comes with the widest range of axle configurations as a rigid truck with 6×4, 8×2 including tridems and 8×4 configurations.
XG
The middle of the range of top-sized DAF cabs, the XG is both longer and higher than the XF giving a standing height of over two metres right across the truck cab.
Built with aerodynamics in mind, the cab is more efficient than the smaller cabs available from the competition.
The choice of engines is focused on the MX-13, although there is the option to order the MX-11 at 450hp if weight is a consideration.
The XG is available as a rigid, but it will be sold mainly as a tractor unit in the UK.
XG+
DAF was probably right, the increase in size between the XG and XG+ doesn’t warrant a whole new model range (the XH was probably considered). The cab is the same length as the XG but is a whopping 11cm higher, giving a standing height of between 2.145 and 2.195 metres. High enough even for the Dutch!
UK DAF Dealer Network
Unlike most truck manufacturers who have a mixture of company-owned dealerships and independent franchised dealers, in the UK all of the DAF dealerships are independent. Across Europe, there is a total of 1,100 dealers and service partners with 136 in the UK, of which 127 are service dealers.
DAF Trucks Production Facilities
DAF manufactures trucks in Eindhoven (The Netherlands), Westerlo (Belgium), Leyland (United Kingdom) and Ponta Grossa (Brasil). DAF trucks are also assembled in Bayswater (Australia) and Taichung (Taiwan).
DAF’s engine factory, component plant, press shop and final assembly line for CF, XD, XF, XG and XG+ models are located in Eindhoven, as well as the new Electric Truck Assembly facility.
Axles and cabs are produced in Westerlo. Leyland Trucks (UK) produces the company’s XB series of light and medium duty trucks, as well as CF, XD, XF, XG and XG+ vehicles. DAF products are sold and serviced by a network of over 1,100 independent dealer locations throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
DAF uses the PACCAR Production System (PPS) in its manufacturing operations. In DAF’s engine factory, employees receive standardised work instructions on PC workstations. Robots are used to enhance assembly accuracy and factory ergonomics.
At DAF’s component factory skilled workers use advanced welding robots and laser cutting machines to produce a wide range of cab, chassis and axle parts. Ultramodern CNC-controlled machines and welding robots have been installed at the Westerlo cab and axle factory to continuously improve quality. The Leyland assembly plant is a highly modern facility producing the DAF XB series, as well as CF, XD, XF, XG and XG+ models.
DAF Trucks Parts Operation
PACCAR Parts’ TRP all-makes aftermarket parts program consists of over 84,000 truck, bus and trailer parts and is supported by DAF’s worldwide dealer network.
DAF’s network of over 1,100 independent dealer locations advises on choosing the right vehicle and specification and then delivers parts and service support over the life of the vehicle. PACCAR Parts, DAF MultiSupport, PACCAR Financial, DAF Connect and DAF International Truck Service (ITS) further enhance the customer’s fleet management.
DAF dealers and customers are supported by PACCAR Parts Distribution Centers in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Spain, Brasil and Panama. Construction of a new 20,000 m2 distribution center in Massbach, Germany was started to further strengthen the industry-leading parts supply for DAF dealers and customers in the region.
Every week, over 10,000 shipments are made with a delivery reliability of 99.99%.
DAF Trucks Finance Operation
PACCAR Financial Europe provides finance solutions in 16 European countries and continues to grow. In 2023, PFE financed one in four of every new truck registered by DAF and managed a total portfolio of 55,000 DAF trucks.