History & Heritage DAF Components
The founding of DAF can be traced back to 1928 when Hub van Doorne established a workshop in Eindhoven. Initially DAF focused on producing simple effective trailers to carry goods. As the demand for their quality products rapidly grew, DAF expanded its operations and started to develop its own trucks in 1930. DAF solely focused on producing the truck chassis themselves, while other components such as engines and cabins were procured from external suppliers. DAF became famous for its reliable products that could withstand the rigors of transport and its attention to detail and practical solutions for its customers.
The origins of DAF Components can be traced back to 1957 when DAF opened its own engine factory. At the start DAF utilized engines from Leyland and enhanced them to meet their desired quality standards. However, a few years later, DAF started the production of complete engines in-house due to the growing demand for high-quality diesel engines. Consequently, DAF also began supplying engines as standalone units. Initially, these engines were marketed under the name "Van Doorne's Automobiel Fabriek Engine Department." However, as demand continued to surge, the department was rebranded as DAF Diesel. This division began supplying components to external entities for their respective applications.
DAF Diesel has enjoyed a prosperous position in the engine market, consistently demonstrating its abilities through continuous advancements and pioneering innovations. Notably, in 1959, DAF made significant enhancements to its DD575 diesel engine by incorporating a turbocharger, thereby enhancing its performance capabilities. Subsequently, in 1973, DAF achieved another milestone by introducing the turbo-intercooler, a groundbreaking technology that has since become a standard feature in modern engines. Originally developed to address the need for increased engine power and reduced fuel consumption, this technology has proven indispensable in achieving cleaner exhaust emissions as well.
Building upon these achievements, DAF further elevated its engine performance in the 1980s with the introduction of Advanced Turbo Intercooling (ATi). This groundbreaking innovation led to even greater gains in power and efficiency through the improvement of injection technology and the optimization of combustion chamber design.
During the early 1990s, DAF underwent a significant restructuring process. DAF Diesel, which had previously handled engine sales, was replaced with a newly founded department. This new department on the DAF campus was not only responsible for engine sales but also for the sales of other components like chassis and cabins, therefore named “DAF Components”.
Further changes occurred in 1996 when DAF was acquired by PACCAR, a development that provided DAF Component further access to the global market. This acquisition opened up new opportunities for DAF Components, enabling them to expand their reach on the broader international market.
The acquisition and collaboration with PACCAR pushed the rapid development of engines. In 2005, DAF introduced the PACCAR MX engine, which has become the standard engine installed in all heavy-duty trucks manufactured by DAF. Additionally, it is also used in the majority of the trucks produced by Kenworth and Peterbilt. Since 2012/2013, DAF has been producing the current generation of engines, namely the Euro 6 PACCAR MX-13 and Euro 6 PACCAR MX-11.
The automotive industry is currently undergoing a notable shift towards a more sustainable future. DAF Components is actively engaged in the development of alternative powertrains and remains at the forefront through the collaboration within the PACCAR network.
A remarkable example of these innovative developments can be seen in the SuperTruck 2 concept introduced by Kenworth, a sister company within the PACCAR portfolio. The Kenworth SuperTruck 2 represents a groundbreaking approach that optimizes fuel efficiency, reduces CO2 emissions, and ensures reliable performance. With its aerodynamic design, hybrid drive technology, and advanced safety features, this truck offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for freight transportation. Through these advancements, DAF Components, as an integral part of PACCAR, continues to show its important position as a market leader in powertrain innovation.