Daf invests in new range
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DAF TRUCKS will spend over £130m before 1990 on a new rang( commercial vehicle products, its chairman, Aart van der Padt nounced at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
der Padt said Mr van der Padt declined to tion," Mr van give any details of the product investment plans, beyond saying that the five to six-year plan would lead to a completely new range of products and the application of new production techniques at the company's plants in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Finance for this plan is being arranged at present, and an announcement of details is expected shortly.
This plan is part of Daf's determination to remain an independent force in the European market, which was reinforced in June by the formation of a Dutch consortium to buy out International Harvester's share in the business.
"The purpose of this is to provide time for a suitable new shareholder who subscribes to Daf's corporate objectives and will promote their implementa week.
Earlier this year (CM, June he said the company would become involved in any m joint manufacturing ventu with other companies, but prepared to co-operate on CI ponent development.
He said then that engines an area in which Daf woulc happier to plough its o course, and that continge plans exist for engine velopment. As cabs and engi are both reaching the enc their most viable life spans, likely that their replacement play the greatest part in the I investment programme.
Mr van der Padt also streN that Daf is ready to handle recovery in commercial vet sales, when that happens. said there was little likelihoo the record sales of 1979 131 achieved in the immedi future, and manufacturing c. city has been reduced to 13 a year.
Daf has agreed a 10 per reduction in its working wee 36 hours, without compul redundancies, and Mr van Padt amplified his confidenc, the future by saying: "An im tant thing that this has ena us to achieve is the retentio our manpower with ti knowledge and experience, the preservation of our techi facilities."