BRANDS

DAF Trucks Australia wins technology and innovation award

2nd June 2008

DAF Trucks Australia has been honoured with the Motoring Matters Transport Technology and Innovation award for significant reduction in driver fatigue.

Announced in Melbourne on Thursday 29th May, 2008 at the Hotel Windsor, the awards are presented in three categories including PowerTorque Magazine Technology and Innovation Awards, Delivery Magazine Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year Awards and the Eco Car Magazine Best Car Awards. The PowerTorque Magazine Technology and Innovation Awards recognise truck and trailer manufacturers for their improvements in vehicle and driver safety through product development, and engine developments achieving lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency.

DAF's CF85 prime mover with 460hp MX engine features the latest low emission SCR engine technology and spacious logical interior layout. In announcing the award at the presentation ceremony, Chris Mullett, Managing Editor, Motoring Matters said, "it was truly one of the least tiring trucks we have driven. After completing our test drive in January 2008 from Melbourne to Sydney of 750 kilometres we took the DAF out for another three hours purely for the sheer joy of driving it."

The new CF series has been redesigned to provide a modern exterior look, with spacious, ergonomic cabs, intuitively placed gauges and switches and steering wheel controls for cruise control, speed limiter, engine brake and telephone functions, making driving as practical and pleasurable as a premium passenger car.

The CF is a truly versatile series, offering a wide selection of axle configurations, wheelbases and specifications, with both models available in day, sleeper and space cab. The multi-functional, flat-topped chassis is body-builder friendly, providing a solid foundation for every application.

DAF safety features provide every driver with a comfortable, safe and practical working environment, no matter what model they drive. Standard features include acceleration slip control (ASR), electronically controlled air suspension (ECAS), electronic braking system (EBS), hands-free mobile phone kit, and enhanced windscreen and side window demisting. Combined with the highest level of Cab and Noise Certification, a DAF truck is one of the safest working environments in the world. Optional extras such as lane departure warning signal, vehicle stability control (VSC), front view mirror, driver air bag, and Xenon headlights with washers further enhance driver and road safety.

Product innovation and driver safety and comfort have always been at the forefront of DAF's vision. In April this year, DAF celebrated 80 years of innovative transport business solutions. During this time DAF Trucks has earned a reputation for developing, manufacturing, selling and servicing innovative, industry leading transport equipment.

Early DAF inventions include the demount trailer, tilt cabs and the front view mirror. In the 1970's, DAF led the field by positioning the driver's sleeping compartment on top of the cab enabling the load length and, consequently, the load volume to be optimised. DAF has several innovative cab designs to its credit, such as the 2600 cab launched in 1962, the first SpaceCab introduced in 1985 and the extra roomy Super SpaceCab presented in 1994.

DAF has had an environmental policy in place for over 10 years and is committed to conducting its business in a responsible way. EcoDesign is the company's unique approach to environmentally responsible product design, and ensures all DAF products comply with the strictest environmental guidelines, from initial concept to end-of-life recycling.

It takes engineering excellence and years of experience to build a truck as good as a DAF. The constant drive to engineer and manufacture the highest quality transport solutions has become a trademark for the company, and delivering the perfect working environment to all drivers is the cornerstone of DAF's success.

All DAF models are fully supported, before and after sale, by PACCAR Australia and the country's best dealer network.

DAF Trucks Australia, a division of PACCAR Australia Pty Ltd, distributes a range of medium and heavy-duty trucks throughout Australia. PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light, medium and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and information technology and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.