Bart van Lotringen Daf's top designer
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On legislation: "The cooling requirements on Euro-6 technologies were so stringent we had to use them for the new look on Euro-6. We created a refined look, integrating the lower body of the vehicle to the upper body. It gave our vehicles a vertical orientation in which the gap between the suspended cab and fixed underbody is no longer dominant."
On Paccar boss Mark Piggot's championing of design: "He's always had a keen interest in design. He values it as a differentiator in trucks and gives his full support."
On Daf's design team: "We've four designers and a modelling staff. We use specialists in the field of clay and digital modelling, using first-class craftsmen who can take a great design proposal and make it even better."
On in-house talent: "Daf's primary designers are all employed in-house, because they really feel the brand and know what you want to achieve."
On customer feedback: "User research at truckstops, or with operators, is an integral part of our design process. It provides good insights into what motivates the choices they make, and is a valuable source of inspiration for innovations that really improve their daily lives and business."
On what drivers want: "Feedback from clinics provides valuable information, like on how drivers use the interior of our trucks. They carry a lot of stuff and having a flat place to lay it down on is important, so the table and flat centre-section of our XF dash is appreciated.
As well as having a good bed that's easy to get into, they also tell us they prefer sleeping in the lower bed. The need for the towel rack stems from comments that they want a place to dry wet towels after a shower."
On up-and-coming talent: "The original idea of a towel rack, combined with the easy-lift system for the upper bunk, came from a design student working in our studio. We've regular placements for talented students. The idea was then taken over by our team at Daf to industrialise it, but it's a good example. Students work on real projects, enjoying a valuable experience during their time with us. We keep track of the best ones as they might end up coming back to us at some point in their careers!"