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"The first in series produced truck chassis from N.V. Van Doorne's Automobile Factory in Eindhoven was unveiled yesterday to a fanfare of publicity', reported the Dutch Transport Courier on 29 July 1949.
In the factory under construction, 2,000 trucks were planned to be manufactured in 1950, a sharp contrast with the total of more than 65,000 trucks that left the DAF production facilities in Eindhoven and Leyland (United Kingdom) in 2008.
At the end of the 1940s, DAF seized on the large demand for transport material. Founded in 1928 by Hub van Doorne and having made a name for itself for the production of trailers since 1933 (Van Doorne's Aanhangwagen Fabriek), the company delivered its first truck chassis on 28 July 1949. A further 500 trucks would be built that year. With the new factory beginning operations in January 1950, the production could be raised to 2,000 and later 4,000 trucks per year.
The delivery programme initially comprised exclusively 3 and 5 ton models.
The vehicles consisted of chassis, engine, axles and the renowned grille with seven chrome stripes; local, independent body builders took care of the cab and specific superstructures. From 1953 also the cabs were supplied 'ex-factory', whereby the luxury version was distinguished by its interior lighting and a second windscreen wiper. On May 3 of that year the 10,000th truck chassis was delivered.
Leading in engine development
The first generations of DAF trucks were equipped with Hercules petrol and Perkins diesel engines. In 1956, it was decided to self-produce the engines.
And so at the end of 1957 a completely new engine factory was opened producing Leyland engines under license. Based on these, DAF quickly developed its own engines and the basis was laid for DAF's leading position in the field of engine development.
In 1959, DAF was one of the very first producers to apply a turbo compressor to truck diesel engines. In 1973 DAF became the first truck manufacturer in the world to use intercooling for higher power and torque with favorable fuel consumption. With this technology, the Eindhoven truck producer was ten year ahead of competition. Thanks to its advanced engine technology, DAF has always led in the field of exhaust-gas emission requirements too. And hence in 2006 the company became one of the first truck producers to offer all of its models with Euro 5 emission levels, which are legally required as from October 2009. Furthermore, since 2008 DAF also offers all of its trucks with diesel engines that comply with the even stricter EEV standard, which until recently was thought to be achievable only with gas engines.
'Mother of international road transport'
In the mid-fifties, international transport started and especially the Dutch hauliers made themselves the freight carriers of Europe. Consequently, in 1957, DAF introduced a new series of heavy truck chassis, the DO series, which became available with a sleeper cab. That DAF recognised like no other the importance of high driver comfort became apparent when - in 1962 - the company unveiled at the RAI in Amsterdam the revolutionary 2600, which was developed especially for international transport. It distinguished itself by unsurpassed interior space, a large glass area and a spacious sleeper cab that - in those days - was unprecedented.
Since, DAF has always been leading in the area of driver comfort. In 1985, the company introduced the so-called 'Space Cab' for its top models - versions with a raised roof for even more room for the driver to work, live and sleep. In 1994, DAF presented the 'Super Space Cab' surpassing all norms in driver comfort and interior space. The 'Super Space Cab' of the current top model, XF105, is one of the most spacious cabs on the market.
The XF105 was voted 'International Truck of the Year 2007' and it was for DAF the third time in ten years that the company was awarded this most prestigious award in the truck industry. Following the 95XF, which was 'International Truck of the Year 1998', DAF's popular LF series for the distribution sector received the 2002 award.
Keys to success
At the end of the eighties around 18,000 trucks were produced in Eindhoven each year and at the end of the nineties this had become about 25,000. In the first few years of the new millennium the production in Eindhoven rose to almost 31,000 trucks in 2004. The company piled up record on record. In 2008, almost 40,000 medium and heavy duty trucks were produced in Eindhoven.
In addition, over 12,000 trucks from the LF series and over 12,700 trucks from the CF and XF105 series were assembled at Leyland Trucks in the UK, leading to a total production of almost 65,000 units.
The objective to develop and produce transport solutions of the highest quality has grown to become the trademark of DAF. It is one of the important keys to the success of the company. New product developments are always driven by the fact that they need to offer added value to customers and drivers. By constantly listening to customers and drivers, DAF has not only developed modern, efficient trucks for the lowest operational costs, the highest possible transport efficiency and optimal driver's comfort, but also a broad package of services behind the product.
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