DAF Trucks secures 30th year of
market leadership in the UK
- DAF
Trucks captures 28.4% market share above six-tonnes GVW
- Latest
SMMT figures SMMT bring up 30 years of unbroken market leadership for DAF
- No
other UK company, in any industry, has achieved longer market leadership
- Investment
in DAF Dealer network, aftersales and training continues apace
DAF Trucks has retained market leadership in the UK
truck industry for a record 30th year. Following the SMMT’s publication of 2024
registration figures, the DAF brand captured 28.4% share of the truck market
above six-tonnes GVW, representing 12,780 vehicle registrations.
The achievement ensures that DAF
Trucks continues its leading position despite a marginal decline from its
consistent above-30% market share over the last five years. It is understood
that the milestone means that DAF Trucks is the only company in the UK, and
from any industry, to have maintained market leadership over such an extended
period. This sustained period atop the truck market began in 1995, when Euro I
was the legislated emissions standard, and the DAF 95 Series was the premium
model in the DAF range.
The vast majority of UK-registered, right-hand-drive commercial vehicles are
built in Britain at Leyland Trucks in Lancashire, including XB, XD, XF, XG and
XG+ ranges, along with a rapidly growing range of electric models.
The overall UK truck market above 6.0-tonnes GVW saw a slight reduction of 2.7%
in 2024, with 44,988 total registrations compared to 46,227 in 2023. Despite
this minor downturn, 2024 remains the second-largest market since 2019.
Rigid vehicle registrations grew
in 2024 with the medium-duty sector from 6.0- to 16.0 tonnes GVW, expanding by
7.9% to reach 9,104 units (up from 8,441 in 2023). Meanwhile, the larger
heavy-duty rigid sector above 16.0-tonnes GVW saw a 5.0% growth, with
registrations totalling 16,805 (compared to 15,988 in 2023). The tractor unit
sector recorded a notable contraction, with registrations dropping by 12.4% to
19,079, down from 21,788 in 2023.
Managing Director at DAF Trucks, David Kiss, said, “Naturally, were very proud
of our long and ongoing success. However, it is not simply down to our great
products. It is a result of the efforts of our people – from right across the
business – and particularly from our fantastic dealer network that supports our
customers. And,” he said, “we thank those customers who entrust their business
to DAF, many of whom have been working with us for the past three decades and
longer. Our relationship with those customers is collaborative, with our
products and our support services in place to help power their success.”
DAF Dealer network and aftersales performance sets
new standards
DAF Trucks continues to set the
standard for aftermarket service through its expansive UK Dealer Network – the
largest in the industry. Outstanding aftersales performance figures for 2024
further demonstrate DAF’s unwavering commitment to customer uptime and support:
·
MOT
first-time pass rate– 98.91%
·
Number of
dealers achieving 100% FTP– 24 dealers (114 dealers achieved ?97.5%)
·
Total MOTs
handled by DAF dealers– 47,337 (highest ever figure)
·
Total
DAFaid jobs in 2024– 107,613
·
Average
call answer time– 6.5 seconds
·
Average
time to arrival at the scene– 60.0 minutes
·
Percentage
of roadside repairs completed– 81.0%
·
Dealer
parts availability– 94.7%
·
First-time
pick at Leyland PDC– 99.9%
·
DAFcheck
jobs completed– 509,623 (including repair-only jobs)
·
New DAF
MultiSupport contracts in 2024– 7,345 contracts
·
Total
MultiSupport portfolio size– 25,142 contracts
Huge investment in DAF Dealer network
DAF Trucks continues to invest
heavily in the UK’s largest commercial vehicle dealer network, with 2024 seeing
the opening of two brand-new locations at HTC Greenford and Adams Morey
Bridgwater. Investment commitments since 2023 now exceed £100 million, underlining
the network’s dedication to enhancing operator support.
Since 2018, the UK DAF Dealer
network has expanded its workshop capacity with the addition of 132 new
workshop bays. Positioned end-to-end, they would extend to a distance in excess
of 2.5km.
Industry-leading DAF Apprenticeship Programme takes
next step
Coinciding with the 30th
anniversary of DAF Trucks’ 30 years as market-leader, the company’s pioneering
DAF Apprenticeship Programme is also 30 years old in 2025.
This year, the programme
relocates to a new, purpose-designed and built DAF Apprentice Academy; a new,
state-of-the-art complex in Nottingham which was officially opened last week
during National Apprenticeship Week. Facilities include a full-length 18-bay
workshop with advanced tooling and equipment, 11 fully equipped classrooms, a
cafeteria to cater for 100 people, a gym-standard locker / washroom and a large
recreational area.
The DAF Apprentice Academy will deliver dedicated, next-level training for DAF
Apprentices from across the DAF Dealer network. Importantly, it provides
training exclusively to the DAF brand and no other automotive marque. Training
pathways will be provided across Technician, Parts, Service, Business
Administration and Departmental Manager disciplines.
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