DAF Trucks has secured its 29th consecutive year of market leadership in the UK following the SMMT’s release of 2023 registrations which reveal the DAF brand’s share of 30% (13,855 vehicles) for trucks above 6.0-tonnes GVW.
 
The impressive market performance backs up DAF Trucks’ all-time, record-breaking mark of 32.1% in 2022, although volumes were significantly up in 2023 with DAF registering a total of 13,855 vehicles (up 6.3% on previous year). It is also the fifth consecutive year that the British-built marque has achieved a share of 30% or above in the UK market.
 
The results become even more notable given the replacement of the company’s entire product range in recent years, completing the roll-out of its New Generation range with the latest XB models entering production at the end of 2023.
 
The total UK market size above 6t GVW grew by 13.5% in 2023 to 46,227, with two axle rigids (in all weight categories > 7.5 tonnes) and 3-axle rigids contributing most to the growth in registrations. 3-axle tractors, the largest single sector, also grew significantly compared to 2022 accounting for 19,289 registrations. Whilst all other weight and configuration categories also grew, they did so by a smaller amount.     
 

50-up – a notable year for DAFaid
Celebrating its 50th anniversary later in 2024, DAFaid remains widely regarded as the commercial vehicle industry’s benchmark roadside assistance programme. The service has delivered continuous improvements throughout its half-century, with 2023 figures showing notable improvements on already outstanding metrics in 2022.
 
DAFaid handled over 113,000 jobs in 2023, up 5.6% on 2022. On average calls to the service were answered in just eight seconds, with drivers now being regularly updated by texts. Jobs at roadside were completed in an average time of just 62-minutes. On average, operators waited just 51-minutes for the arrival of DAFaid assistance at roadside.  81% of jobs were completed at roadside, enabling truck and load to continue their journey.
 

TRP celebrates 30-years
TRP, the leading provider of all-makes parts and consumables in the UK and Ireland is 30-years old in 2024. Its range of 100,000 lines solidifies its position as the largest supplier of commercial vehicle spares in the country.
 
TRP entered the market in 1994 with a modest offering of 2500 parts, followed in 1997 with the introduction of consumables, and then trailer parts and lubricants in 2000. Following an upward trajectory ever since, the range was significantly expanded in 2022 to include parts for light commercial vehicles.
 
Distribution is fulfilled through 140 locations across the UK and Ireland, including the entire DAF Dealer network and a growing number of dedicated TRP stores. Supporting this network is the world-class Parts Distribution Centre located the home of DAF manufacturing in the UK, Leyland Trucks, delivering an impressive 98% first-time-pick. Customers also have the convenience of ordering parts through the DAF Webshop.

Impressive KPI gains for DAF aftersales
DAF Trucks can announce that its entire 136-location DAF Dealer network has achieved IRTE workshop accreditation – the first and only manufacturer to declare this benchmark standard network-wide. Operators are now assured that, wherever their vehicles are serviced and maintained, they will receive best practice levels of workshop care, facilitated by appropriately qualified technical staff, management and back-office personnel.
 
A high level of MOT first time pass rates continued in 2023 with the DAF Dealer network delivering an average figure of 98.75%, with a significant number of dealers achieving 100%. DAF Dealers handled over 45,500 MOTs last year.

DAFcheck 
DAFcheck, the free on-line workshop maintenance record and inspection platform, recorded more than 450,000 jobs across the DAF Dealer network last year. In an important move designed to increase functionality and speed, the system has migrated to cloud-based storage which will enable increasing numbers of customers to use the DAFcheck Lite platform within their own workshops.
 
Dealer investment
DAF Trucks is investing in its dealer network more than ever before. There are now 136 DAF Dealers across the UK and Ireland, plus a further eleven TRP Stores offering all-makes parts and consumables. Over the last three years, workshop capacity has grown significantly, with the addition of 98 workshop bays, or the equivalent of an extra two kilometres. Over the same period DAF Dealers have invested over £80 million into infrastructure and services.