DAF's service is an ac4
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NHEN DAF heavy commercials here first introduced to the 3ritish market back in 1966, leither the British manufacturars, importers nor vehicle p era to rs took the products ;eriously. But in 1979 alone, the ompany sold around 36,000 nits over 14.5 tonnes — 30 per :ent up on 1978's figures.
The lack of success of that first aunch was attributed to a abience of serious planning before he move. Two distributors were ippointed — one in the North ind one in the South — and fehicles were sold probably only )ecause in 1966 British cv manuacturers couldn't produce !nough vehicles themselves.
Although an extensive range vas offered the whole launch vas misconceived. When DAF nounted a second attack on the ritish market some four years 3ter, it made no mistake.
It was reported in the Earls :ourt Commercial Motor Show dition of Commercial Vehicles Dctober 1966) that 25 tractive nits had been sold to the larger perators who had their own forkshops with skilled cv fitters: "Fairly extensive operational xperience has been gained as a 3sult despite the absence of a ealer network and service orgaisations. DAF expects to build p such a network in Britain in pe course, but admits that to do
the job properly requires not only capital, but a good deal of time".
So it seems DAFs first sortie was not the success it might have been because of inadequate distribution, service and parts backup. For the second launch in 1972 DAF Trucks (GB) Ltd was formed to separate lorry and car interests under managing director David Mansell.
The lorry company moved from Feitham to Marlow and the first job for the board of directors was to decide which models to introduce onto the market and set up the parts and service back-up facilities for the proposed 21 main dealers.
Models were introduced to the UK so that the minimum number of different parts ,were required, and to promote high-quality after-sales service, mechanics from each main dealer were sent on a training course in Eindhoven. DAF Trucks (GB) Ltd established its own service training school at Marlow in 1974.
The training centre is purposebuilt and comprises several lecture and reception rooms linked to a fully equipped lorry bay and component overhaul workshop. An experienced instruction team use the latest equipment. There are a range of courses available covering fleet repairs, engine maintenance, and brake systems. Additionally spe courses can be arranged at centre upon request or can held at a local dealer or at operators premises.
Over 100 courses are each year and many are elig for RT1TB grants.
By the mid-Seventies pl were laid for a service and system claimed to be the env' many vehicle manufacturers concessionnaires in the UK still being used to penetrate UK market. DAF's share last y was ten per cent.
DAF claims its service cove unique. Thirty-three dealers strategic points throughout UK offer full workshop facilil staffed by DAF-train mechanics.
DAFaid is claimed by the cc pany to be a complete dri support service guaranteed operate 24 hours every day the year. It is available in Eurc and the Middle East. All C drivers are automatically rTle bers of DAFaid. In the event c breakdown, DAF will ask home dealer to guarant payment before the repair is c rind out or any assistance giv Usually these credit facilities , arranged with the dealer w sold the vehicle so that driv, do not need to carry large SUI of money.
The scheme includes ern gency repairs, vehicle recovi windscreen replacement, tl ce and accommodation ination.
the event of a driver needhelp, he calls a central roller who will then contact earest DAF dealer and his side assistance team will be t out. Most vans are pped with a radio pager, each breakdown is monk d by the DAFaid controller. part of the overall DAF y to keep their trucks and s moving, wherever they DAFaid is linked to the Interanal Truck Service with its rol centre in Eindhoven — a Nork of 500 interlinked DAF 1er workshops is located oughout Europe and the Idle East.
o complement DAFaid, the ipany's Medicar provides air Dulance repatriation where iical care overseas fall below aptable standards.
nder its Repair and Mainten e Scheme DAF Trucks (GB) assumes the responsibility keeping lorries in top condi so deeping downtime to a DAF calculates a ranteed cost per mile over agreed timespan of the tract, so the operator can ac3tely forecast maintenance service costs for one,year up ive years and the only lirnin is a total lorry mileage of ,000 miles.
AFlube in another scheme ler the service cover umbrella I is a complete system of intenance schedules based the principle of attention an it is needed. Each operator upplied with a set of mileage based coupons which, it i claimed, will ensure that ever vehicle will be correctly service at the right time.
Additionally, the DAFlube an CARE system will provide Spectrographic Oil Analysis r€ port •on oil samples sent t Marlow, so monitoring engin life. The cost of a single analysi report is around £9.
DAF Trucks (UK) Ltd no offers a full 12-month warrant or unlimited mileage from (I( livery date.
There are certain condition attached to this which requir that the vehicle has been mair tained in accordance with DA Trucks service schedules an only genuine DAF Trucks pal have been used.
The warranty is given to th first registered owner and ma be transferred for the balance c the warranty period to subs( quent owners subject to pric written approval of DAF Trucks.
For these who want extende warranty, the guarantee can b lengthened to 24 or 36 month for all powertrain componem for two or five per cent of th initial purchase price. Th scheme is called Powertrain Prc tection and cover begins vvhe the vehicle is 12 months old. Th premium of two per cent (2 months) or five per cent (2 months) is payable at any Urn during the initial 12 months a the road.