DAF Trucksis a Dutch truck manufacturing company and a division ofPaccar.DAF originally stood forvan Doorne's Aanhangwagen Fabriek.Its headquarters and main plant are inEindhoven.[2]Cabsandaxleassembliesare produced at itsWesterloplant in Belgium. Some of the truck models sold with the DAF brand are designed and built byLeyland Trucksat itsLeylandplant in the United Kingdom.
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| Company type | Subsidiary (Naamloze vennootschap) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1928 |
| Founder | Van Doorne brothers (HubandWim) |
| Headquarters | Eindhoven,Netherlands |
Key people |
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| Products | Trucks |
| Total equity | $ 1.7 billion |
| Parent | Paccar |
| Subsidiaries |
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| Website | www.daf.com |
History
edit
In 1928,Hubert "Hub" van Doornefounded the companyCommanditaire Vennootschap Hub van Doorne's Machinefabriek.His co-founder and investor was A. H. Huenges, managing director of a brewery. Van Doorne had repaired Huenges' car several times, and Huenges, pleased with his work, offered to finance him in business. Hub started to work in a small workshop on the grounds of the brewery.
In 1932, the company, by then run by Hub and his brother,Wim van Doorne,changed its name toVan Doorne's Aanhangwagen Fabriek(Van Doorne'sTrailerFactory), abbreviated toDAF.Huenges left the company in 1936 and the DAF company was then completely in the hands of the van Doorne brothers.
DAF developed theTradoconversions to convert4×2Ford trucks to an off-road6×4drive. One of DAF's few armoured vehicles, theM39 Pantserwagen,used developments of this Tradodrivetrain.M39 production came too late forWorld War II– in theinvasion of the Netherlands(1940) only three saw combat.
After World War II luxury cars andtruckswere very scarce. This meant a big opportunity for DAF. In 1949, the company started making trucks, trailers and buses, changing its name toVan Doorne's Automobiel Fabriek(Van Doorne's Automobile Factory). The first lorry model was theDAF A30.
Through the 1950s, DAF was a major supplier to the re-equipping of the Dutch Army's softskin vehicles, with models such as theDAF YA-126andDAF YA-328Dikke Daf.These used the all-wheel driveH-drivedeveloped from the Trado conversions.
In late 1954, Hub van Doorne had the idea to usebelt drivencontinuously variable transmissions(CVT), like so many belt-driven machines in factories, to drive road vehicles. In 1955, DAF produced its firstdraftof a car belt drive system. Over the next few years, the design was developed and refined. In February 1958, DAF demonstrated a small belt-driven four-seater car at the Dutch car show (theAutoRAI).
The public reaction was very positive and 4,000 cars were ordered. In 1959, DAF started selling the world's first car with a CVT, the small four seaterDAF 600.This was the first of a series of models to be released in subsequent years, including theDAF 33,DAF 44,DAF 55andDAF 66,all using the innovativeVariomatictransmission system.
In 1967, DAF opened a new plant inBornfor car production. The 44 was the first model to be produced there.[3]
In 1972,International HarvesterofChicagobought a 33% stake in DAF (with the Dutch government holding 25% and the Van Doorne family holding the remaining 42%), forming a joint venture. This agreement lasted until 1981. DAF sold its passenger car division, along with what is now theNedcarfactory in Born, in 1975 to the Swedish companyVolvo Cars,leaving DAF to concentrate on its successful line of trucks.
In 1987, DAF merged with theLeyland Trucksdivision ofRover Group(which includedFreight Rover), and in June 1989 was floated on the Dutch andLondon Stock ExchangesasDAF NV.[4]The new company traded asLeyland DAFin the United Kingdom, and as DAF elsewhere.
DAF Bus was split off in 1990 to become a part ofUnited Bus.[5]Following difficulties in the British market, After DAF NV was placed under administration in February 1993, the Dutch operations were sold in amanagement buyoutwith the business branded DAF Trucks.
In October 1996Paccaracquired DAF Trucks.[6]DAF Trucks and Leyland Trucks were rejoined in June 1998, when Paccar also acquiredLeyland Trucks.[7][8][9]On 9 January 2012, Paccar installed the cornerstone of the new plant in the city ofPonta Grossa,in the state ofParaná,Brazil.
DAF now has a net worth of 1.7 billion dollars.[citation needed]
Car business
edit
The first passenger car, theDAF 600,was presented to the public in February 1958. It featured unitary steel construction, with a front mounted, air cooled two cylinderboxer enginedriving the rear wheels through a centrifugal clutch and theVariomaticCVTtransmission. The way this was constructed eliminated the need for a differential, with the drivebelts taking up the difference of speed in turns.
This acted as alimited-slip differential.The car hadindependent suspensionall around, withMacPherson strutsand a transverseleaf springat the front, and a coil sprung semi trailing arm design at the rear. The first 600s rolled off the production line in the following year. The next model was the750,featuring a larger 749 cc (45.7 cu in) twin.
Later, DAF produced a more luxurious type called theDaffodil,divided into three models assigned the numbers DAF 30, DAF 31 and DAF 32. The designation 32 was changed to33upon the 1966 release of the44,a larger middle class vehicle designed byGiovanni Michelotti.
The 44 featured a completely new design aesthetically as well as mechanically, but was of the same layout as the "A types" (the 600, 750, 30, 31, 32 and 33), with the main difference being its 850 cc (52 cu in) two cylinder engine, and its fullswing axlerear axle design as opposed to the A type semi trailing arms.
The 1968DAF 55carried a bigger water cooled 1,108 cc (67.6 cu in) OHV four cylinder engine derived from theRenault 8Cleon engine. Its body design was altered from the 44 by a new front which accommodated the longer engine and radiator, bigger taillights, and a more plush interior. The front suspension was changed from a transverse leaf spring to MacPherson struts with torsion springs and an antiroll bar.
TheDAF 66was introduced as a successor to the 55. It featured new, boxy styling of the front, and a new rear axle design. The two drive belts now powered a differential, and the axle was changed from a swing axle design to a leaf sprung de Dion axle. It was a major improvement over the (tricky) handling of the swing axles of the earlier 33, 44 and 55 models.
Volvopurchased a 33 percent stake in DAF in December 1972, with the intent of taking a larger interest.[10][self-published source?]They increased their holdings to 75% on 1 January 1975, taking over the company and the Nedcar plant. Volvo dropped the 33 and 44 models, and later rebadged theDAF 66as theVolvo 66,with bigger bumpers and a safety steering wheel.
TheDAF 46was developed with Volvo's assistance, and was basically a 44 with the rear axle of a 66 and a single beltVariomatic(half the 66's transmission). A big weakness of this system is that a failed drive belt would cripple the car. The last DAF design, codenamed P900, initially intended to be the DAF 77, was developed during the transition to Volvo ownership and was ultimately launched as theVolvo 300 seriesin 1976, firstly as the Volvo 343 three door hatchback with theVariomatictransmission.
After initial slow sales, the range was expanded into the 340/360, with a five-door variant and the availability of manual transmission, and the 340/360 range became a sales success, eventually surpassing 1.3 million units by the time production ceased in 1991. The subsequentVolvo 440/460/480 and the first generationS40/V40models were also made at the Nedcar plant, until Volvo sold its interest toMitsubishi Motorsin 2001, marking the end of Volvo's involvement with the former DAF plant after almost thirty years. Today, the plant is now owned byVDL Nedcar,and contract manufactures certainMinimodels forBMW.
Prototypes and special cars
editFor a small company, DAF made a huge number of prototypes. Also, famous coachbuilders likeGiovanni MichelottiandOSImade cars based on DAF mechanicals. For instance, the OSI City Car, which turned into a miniature. There was also Michelotti's "Shellette" beach car, which was later modified to useFiat 850underpinnings. TheDutch Royal Familyused one of these at theirPorto Ercolesummer residence.[11]
Truck business
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DAF produced its firsttruck,theA30,in 1949. This truck was upgraded in the following years. Their first attempt into the international market was a failure, the2000DO.Their next truck was the 19642600,which became a big seller with its well equipped but practical cabin.[12]They also produced a so-called torpedo front tractor.
In the 1970s, a new modular tilting cab called theF218was introduced on the F1600/F2000 range of vehicles. Three years later, the widerF241,which featured DAF's characteristic three wiper windscreen, was introduced as the DAF 2800. This design lasted until the introduction of the 95 style cab in 1987. There was also a lighter, narrower version called the 'F198 which was introduced in 1972 on the F1200 and F1400, but this short lived model was replaced after only three years. In 1984, DAF truck production was 13,645; this increased to 14,382 in calendar year 1985.[13]
DAF was also one of the first to introduce anintercooledturbochargeddiesel engineinto their trucks, which in these years became very evident with their3600.Their largest 11.6-litre (710 cu in)six cylinderturbodiesel was based on the oldLeylandO.680 motor.[14]It was to be DAF's standard large engine long into the nineties.
DAF's 95 series was launched in 1987, and quickly gained the coveted 'Truck of The Year' award. The 95 featured an all new cab developed jointly with ENASA of Spain called Cabtec, a revised version of the 11.6-litre ATI engine, rated at 310, 350, or 380 hp (metric), and 16-speedZF Friedrichshafengearbox. On the Continent,Eaton'sTwinsplitter gearbox was an option. A full range of axle configurations were offered, to suit every operating requirement.
Much attention was paid to soundproofing; the gear linkage for example was telescopic, whilst in-cab noise levels on the 95 put many luxury saloons to shame. An update in 1991 saw new power ratings of 329, 364, and 401 hp; – a 430 hp variant, along with low deck tractor unit models and revised interior trim, were introduced in the spring of 1992.
Two years later, after an intensive study of the ultra long haul market sector, DAF unveiled the 95.500 Super Spacecab at the 1994 RAI show. The 95 series cabin had gained height and length, and sat atopCummins' 14-litre N14, rated at 507 bhp. ZF's new Aluminium cased 16S221 gearbox was fitted, with optional Intarder. An innovation was the hydraulic gearshift developed with Konsberg of Norway.
Within an overall height of 3.85m, the Super boasted an interior height of 2.25m, a luxury bunk with generous stowage space underneath, and a full range of options included microwave, fridge, and a television/video system. The 95.500 was available as a 4x2 tractor or drawbar rigid, with LHD only, though the Super Spacecab was available on 11.6-litre engined models. The 95.500 is now a very rare truck, which is surprising given the original list price of £87,650.
The basic cab design remains in production to this day, latterly as the 95XF and now the XF105, although both these developments of the original 95 are totally different machines under the skin. Other vehicles in the DAF range have included the inherited from Leyland Trucks Roadrunner (Badged DAF 600, 800, 1000 on the Continent) which evolved into the 45 Series, the cab of which was used on the 18 ton gross 55, also as a military spec 4×4.
An all new medium to heavyweight line up debuted in the end of 1992, the 65, 75 and 85 utilising the same wedge shaped cab. Powered by DAF's 6.24-litre (381 cu in), 8.65-litre (528 cu in) and 11.6-litre (710 cu in) engines, some novel styling details featured, while the 85 Series' cab sat 10 cm (3.94 in) higher on the chassis to clear the WS engine.
A short lived model was the 1990 to 1993 80 Series, using theT45 Roadtrain cabacquired from the Leyland Trucks takeover, fitted with the ATI driveline. Also offered for a short period was the 3200, basically a remodelled 2800 with the corporate style, three bar grille.
There is aDAF LF45hybrid version,which was presented by DAF at theIAA 2010in Hannover.[15]
Tatra
editIn August 2011, DAF announced it had built up a 19% stake inTatra,which will use DAF cabs andPaccarengines. DAF dealers will sell Tatra off-road trucks.[16]
Motorsport
editCars
edit
DAF cars had the image of being slow. The company tried to change this image with entries inrallies and races,such as their entry in theLondon–Sydney Marathon.
They were pioneers with continuously variable automatic transmission calledVariomatic.
A DAF car was used in Albie Mangle's "World Safari" movie of 1977.[17]
Truck racing
edit- 1980s: DAF trucks started competing in theDakar Rally,winning in1982,1985and1987.In the later years, they competed with a twin engine trucks: the 1986TurboTwin,the 1987 TurboTwin II and the 1988 X1. The later producing a combined power output of 1,220 PS (900 kW).
- 1988: Two trucks were entered into theParis-Dakar rally:the X1 and X2.Jan de Rooy'slorry was running third overall, beating thePeugeot 405T16's on speed, when DAF's other lorry, driven by Theo van de Rijt, was involved in acrash.His co driver Kees Van Loevezijn was fatally injured, and the other two occupants of the lorry narrowly escaped the same fate. DAF withdrew from the event following the crash.
- 1996: DAF started competing in theEuropean Truck Racing Championshipseries, first not very successful, but by 1999, they almost became champions. Then to everyone's surprise, it withdrew.
- 2002: DAF competed in theDakar rally,withJan de Rooyand his sonGerard.
- 2003: DAF competed in theDakar rally,winning numerous stages before Gerard de Rooy crashed.
- 2004: DAF competed in theDakar rally,powering six race lorries. Jan en Gerard de Rooy, the team Tridec, The team Hans Bekx with two trucks and the GINAF Rally Power team (Note that four trucks were built by DAF, two byGINAF).
- 2005: Hans Bekx almost finished second overall in the lorry division, before being removed from the competition because of an irregularity, much to the surprise of the (mostly Dutch) fans.
- 2006: Jan and Gerard de Rooy were excluded from theDakar rallybecause of paperwork issues.
List of CEOs
edit- 1965 - 1990Richard Nagtegaal
- 1990 - 2011Frans Nagtegaal
- 2011 - presentHarry Wolters
Current models
editSee also
editReferences
editNotes
edit- ^"Board of Management - DAF Trucks N.V."
- ^"Daf: Used trucks from Daf - Planet-Trucks.com".www.planet-trucks.com.Retrieved9 June2023.
- ^Between Initiation and Innovation: Transfer and Hybridization of Productive Models in the International Automobile Industry.Oxford University Press. 1998.ISBN0-19-829368-2.
- ^"Daf shares offer".Commercial Motor,20 April 1989
- ^"Stop press: Daf Bus/Bova merger".Commercial Motor,23 November 1989
- ^"Paccar set to take over Daf Trucks".Commercial Motor,10 October 1996
- ^"Paccar aims to cut queue".Commercial Motor,7 May 1998
- ^"Paccar acquires Leyland Trucks".Automotive News Europe,11 May 1998
- ^ "20 Years with Paccar".Leyland Trucks, 27 June 2018.
- ^de Bruin, Johannes (Hans) (31 March 2012),A Dutch Treat... a tale of DAF cars & trucks,Lulu.com, p. 76,ISBN978-1105636561[self-published source]
- ^"361",Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction(Auction Catalogue), New York: Bonhams & Butterfields Auctioneers, 2 June 2013, p. 160, Sale Number 21153
- ^Kennett, Pat, ed. (September 1982). "Eurotest".Truck.London, UK: FF Publishing Ltd: 51.
- ^Barden, Paul, ed. (June 1986). "Truckmonth: Briefly".Truck.London, UK: FF Publishing Ltd: 27.
- ^TRUCK(September 1982),p. 43
- ^"DAF Trucks at IAA 2010".DAF Trucks N.V. 21 September 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2010.Retrieved2 October2010.
- ^"DAF Trucks grabs 19% stake in TATRA and supplies engines and cabs for new range! Biglorryblog has the story..."3 August 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 28 August 2011.Retrieved3 August2011.
- ^"World Safari (1977)".
Bibliography
edit- Kennett, Pat (1979).DAF.World Trucks, No 5. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens.ISBN0850593476.
- Peck, Colin (2010).DAF Trucks since 1949.Truckmakers series. Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing.ISBN978-1845842604.
External links
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- Official website
- Daf Club NederlandOfficial Dutch Daf and other variomatic cars owners club
- The (official) DAF museum, Eindhoven(site in Dutch)– complete with "DAFeteria" for refreshments
- DAF Oldtimer Truck Club website
- Classic DAF website
- DAF Lorry Information
- UKs Largest DAF Dealer Group
- Commercial Motor – launch of DAF 95 August 1987