DAF
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1. In our opinion, the enlarged EEC will bring about an expanding road transport activity over the coming years, with an annual rate of growth ranging from 4% to 5%.
2. The growing efficiency-need in transportation will result in an ever increasing demand for those combinations meeting the maximum allowed legal requirements of sizes and weights. Another result of this demand will be the anticipated replacement of smaller types of commercial vehicles by heavier ones. As we have always considered the 12 tons gvw range of great interest, we concentrate our efforts mainly on this market. Within the European Economic Community, the Benelux is our home-market.
Subsidiaries have been established in France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy from where determined market penetration has already been realized.
3. It is obvious to all of us that some co-operative agreements can bring us to more rationalization, as this was the principal goal of the arrangements we concluded. We must realize, however, that the results of such co-operation will only become clear after some years, and that our expectations in this respect must be kept within certain limits. We don't believe in drastic rationalization as most of the sorting out has been done in recent years in Europe.
4. .International transportation requires essentially four-axle combinations of 40 tons gtvv, with a maximum axle-load of 11 to 12 tons. In order to meet all transportation demands — e.g. 30.5-ton ISO containers it must be made possible to allow for a 46-ton gtw. In this respect a specific road-system could be stipulated.
As manufacturers, we consider it essential to come to a standardization and harmonization of rules as soon as possible. It promotes efficient production (no more differences between the various countries).
5. DAF-people don't believe there will be spectacular road transport revolutions before 1980. There will be a gradual evolution in transportation — e.g. the use of automatic transmissions and turbines; a more perfect diesel engine will continue to play a main part in the future.
Other important factors will be: the diminution of the inconvenient influence of vehicles on the environment; higher safety requirements; manufacturing of more attractive and comfortable vehicles for owner! employer and driver.