On Wednesday, February 25th, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte unveiled the millionth Eindhoven-produced DAF truck.
DAF is one of the most successful truck manufacturers in Europe and is a market leader in The Netherlands, Great Britain and Hungary. The first DAF truck was sold on September 1, 1949 and that year a total of 150 trucks left the factory in Eindhoven. A year later there were more than a thousand. Eighty-five years later, the manufacturing company has sold its millionth truck.
"We are very honoured that Prime Minister Rutte has officially unveiled the millionth DAF truck manufactured in Eindhoven ," said Harrie Schippers, President and CEO of DAF Trucks N.V. “That is also due recognition for the 5,000 employees in Eindhoven, who daily give their all to supply our customers with trucks and services of the highest quality.”
DAF’s product range has grown over the years and important innovations were introduced in the Eindhoven factory, where trucks are built to order and where currently 122 heavy and medium trucks roll off the assembly line each day.
Manufacturer Révész Group from Hungary, with a fleet of 480 vehicles specializing in international bulk and tank transport received the millionth truck yesterday. "We are very honoured to receive the millionth Eindhoven-manufactured truck to add to our fleet," said owner and CEO, Bálint Révész.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in his speech that DAF's success proves that the manufacturing industry in The Netherlands certainly has a future. "The millionth DAF truck manufactured in Eindhoven is the millionth piece of evidence that the prescription of the brothers Van Doorne still works. Continue to innovate, continue to grow and above all continue to invest in knowledge and people who are proud of the product they make and the company where they work. Innovation and craftsmanship go hand in hand here,” stated the Prime Minister.