DAF trucks

DAF (originally van Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek) is a prominent Dutch manufacturer of commercial vehicles, best known for its heavy-duty trucks. Founded in 1928 in Eindhoven, Netherlands, by Hub van Doorne, the company transitioned from building trailers to producing trucks and passenger cars. DAF is widely recognized for its innovation in transmission technology, specifically the Variomatic continuously variable transmission used in its earlier automotive models.

In the modern era, DAF functions as a primary subsidiary of the American company PACCAR Inc. Following financial restructuring in the 1990s, PACCAR acquired DAF in 1996, integrating it with other prestigious brands like Kenworth and Peterbilt. Manufacturing for DAF is international: while its headquarters and main production facilities remain in Eindhoven, Netherlands, it maintains significant operations in Westerlo, Belgium (cabs and axles), and Leyland in the United Kingdom (medium-duty trucks). The brand maintains a dominant market share in Europe and the UK, benefiting from its deep integration with local engineering and logistics networks.