DAF Trucks 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 undoubted highlight was the introduction of the New Generation DAF XF, XG and XG⁺. These models for long distance transport, resulted in a full order book for the Eindhoven truck manufacturer.
The jewel in the crown was the award of the two most prestigious prizes in the truck industry. The New Generation XF, XG and XG⁺ were voted ‘International Truck of the Year 2022’ because of the new standard they have set in relation to efficiency, safety and driver comfort. In addition, the DAF XF H2 concept truck with hydrogen combustion engine, won the coveted ‘Truck Innova-tion Award 2022’. All of which confirms that the New Generation DAF trucks represent a brand new platform; one that is ready for new alternative drivelines and the promise of an even cleaner future.
60,000 trucks
It goes without saying that, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021 was also a very challen-ging 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 pro-duction line (compared with 37,600 in 2020) as well as about 11,000 LF distribution trucks (9,000 in 2020).
Market leader in 6 European countries
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.
Sales outside Europe
DAF sold 8,600 trucks outside the European Union in 2021, compared with 5,900 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 Tai-wan, 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.
10% more PACCAR drivelines sold
In 2021 DAF sold 2,250 PACCAR engines to leading manufacturers of coaches, buses and spe-cial vehicles. This represents an increase of more than 10% compared with 2020 when DAF Components sold 2,000 engines. DAF also received two orders from the Belgian Armed Forces in 2021. Over the coming years a total of
