DAF Trucks tops UK market with over 30% share for third year running

DAF Trucks has garnered over 30% of the market share in the UK for trucks above 6.0-tonnes GVW for the third year, the manufacturer revealed this week.

The manufacturer won a total of 31.1% marketshare in 2021, making it the third year in succession that DAF Trucks has exceeded 30%.

DAF said this week that this latest acheivement marks the company’s second highest ever share of the market, after its 32% high-point in 2020, and its 27th year of market leadership in the UK.

Total UK registrations at 6t GVW in 2021 grew by 12.9% to 37,163, up from 32,918 in 2020, when numbers were dramatically reduced by the pandemic. Despite this growth, DAF said the 2021 market is still down on average pre-pandemic levels however as material shortages have constrained the supply of new trucks.

Laurence Drake, managing director of DAF Trucks, said: "The market size of just over 37,000 belies a very strong demand for new trucks. We continue to see very high levels of demand from operators looking to replenish, upgrade and grow their fleets.

"Our order intake during 2021 was at record levels and lead-times have moved out consequently. The New Generation DAF models are in demand due to their enhanced efficiency, safety and driver comfort. Our customers understand the benefits of investing in the latest technology on the total cost of ownership,” he added.

Strong demand for trucks is also affecting used truck availability with prices rising accordingly. DAF said price rises have been "dramatic" particulry for Euro VI compliant DAF models which meet Clean Air Zone and Low Emission Zone requirements.

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DAF said its dealer network has also performed" exceedingly well" throughout 2021, pointing to an MOT first time pass rate of 98.44% MOT first-time pass rate, the completion of 400,000 DAFcheck vehicle inspections and a "very strong" 12-months for DAF Genuine and TRP Parts, as evidence. It added that DAFaid, DAF’s roadside assistance service, attended 80,000 call-outs, 80% of which were successfully resolved at the roadside within 90-minutes.

DAF Trucks is currently readying its dealer network with technician training for the DAF LF Electric and CF Electric trucks now entering service with UK operators.

Drake said: "Naturally, I’m thrilled with our sales successes, and to lead the UK market for 27-years is an outstanding achievement by the DAF Dealer network but it is our aftersales performance of which I’m especially proud, and here again our dealers must take the credit.

"We have the strongest network in the UK with highly-skilled DAF Technicians with dedicated Service and Parts experts supporting customers day and night. This is where the DAF difference has its most significant effect with operators.”