DAF Trucks for Sale Will Lead Recovery in 2011

Dutch manufacturer DAF has announced that despite the poor performance of the truck market in 2010, the number of daf trucks for sale will increase by as much as 20 per cent in 2011.

Truck registrations in 2010 hit an all time low, but the truck manufacturer believes that this year will see gradual growth. Ray Ashworth, MD of DAF Trucks, says that despite an obviously challenging market, 2010 ended with enough momentum in the sector to give hope for recovery in 2011.

"I believe 2011 will be a year of recovery, albeit a slow one. The lead up to Euro-6 in 2013 and the London Low Emission Zone changes in 2012 will provide some impetus to a fragile market growth, such that we believe the out-turn for 2011 will be 32,000-34,000 units," he says.

Ashworth cited government austerity measures and a tough industry environment as reasons for a slow first half of 2010, but his prediction of a "rising trend rather than a falling one" at the year's end has been proved true.

"The second half of 2010 was significantly stronger in terms of new trucks going into service," said Ashworth. He added: "In the first half of 2010 market volume was 11,373 compared with 16,215 in the second half, an increase of over 42%."

At the end of 2010, daf trucks reported a reduced 23.8% market share and 6,553 units, down from 8,317 units recorded in 2009. Overall the truck market (above six tonnes) was 27,588, the lowest on record down 1.25% on the previous record low set 12 months before.

For Ashworth to hit his target, the company will need to build as much quality and innovation as they can into any new daf trucks for sale, as the market grows more competitive.