DAF introduces on- line bodybuilding for LF

DAF is pioneering a pilot scheme which will see its LF45 7.5 tonne 4 by 2 rigid light truck range being offered with box and curtainsided bodies built on line at the Leyland Trucks factory, home of LF production.

The in-house designed body is factory-built to ensure the highest whole vehicle quality standards, streamlined delivery schedules and to provide operators with the best back up support for the complete vehicle. Delivery schedules are minimised because the body is built on line, in parallel with the chassis, and consequently, a ready to work LF 7.5 tonner will be available in a leadtime of about eight weeks.

Because the whole vehicle is designed, tested and manufactured by DAF, the bodywork is an integral part of the consistently high quality standards built in to every DAF truck. The factory bodied LF can be supplied with a repair and maintenance contract providing enhanced resale values and the reassurance of DAF’s renowned dealer back up for the complete vehicle. Innovative complete vehicle purchase and leasing packages are available via PACCAR Financial.

The factory bodied LF will ultimately have the benefit of compliance with the new Whole Vehicle Type Approval legislation which is likely to take effect in the UK in 2009. This is likely to have a dramatic impact on the bodybuilding industry and DAF, thanks to the flexibility of the Leyland plant, has a unique opportunity to provide operators with an integrated, ‘off the peg’ solution for certain standard body types.
“As Whole Vehicle Type Approval is introduced operators could face more complex, lengthy and potentially costly processes to ensure their vehicles comply with the regulations for both body and chassis”, says Tony Pain, DAF Trucks Marketing Director.

“Because we have such a flexible production system we can offer a fully integrated ‘one stop shop’ – with body and chassis certified for the required legislation and covered by our outstanding finance and support packages. This will reduce leadtimes, guarantee quality and streamline the purchase and warranty process”, he says.

Mr Pain emphasised that this is not an extension of the preferred bodybuilder route which DAF and other truck makers have tried in the past. The bodied vehicles at Leyland will be built on the assembly line complete – not bodied at the end of the process – and DAF and its dealers will be taking warranty responsibility for all aspects of the complete vehicle. This means that bodywork issues – including either the wide lath roller shutter or double rear doors, with or without column-mounted or tuck-away tail lifts - will be looked after by dealers in just the same way as any other DAF.

“We will be offering one simple box or curtainsider 6.2m body to begin with and may add other sizes in the future. But its unlikely that we will embark on the more specialised, lower volume body applications – the specialist bodybuilder will always have an important role to play there”, said Mr Pain.