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14/04/2011
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DAF is now officially the first truck manufacturer to adopt the irtec accreditation scheme throughout its dealer network, with 650 technicians already registered.
 Announcing the arrangement at the CV Show, NEC (now in its final day), DAF managing director Ray Ashworth said: "Over the next couple of years, all DAF dealer technicians will be independently assessed and licensed through the irtec scheme, ensuring a consistent standard for vehicle inspections."
And he added: "Having your truck repaired or serviced through DAFCheck, therefore, will give operators additional peace of mind in the knowledge that DAF's technicians are fully qualified."
DAFcheck is DAF's free of charge web-based system that allows recording and retrieval of maintenance records for a truck fleet, ensuring full VOSA compliance.
He also confirmed that transport operators will be able to report defects electronically, via DAFCheck, in readiness for future inspections, while also being linked to DAFaid roadside assistance – all part of maintaining a good OCRS (operator compliance risk score) position.
Ashworth seemed in good form, no doubt buoyed by the improving market for trucks over 6 tonnes. "We can now see that truck sales in the first quarter have proved to be relatively healthy," he asserted. "Between September and December [2010], the running rate of the UK truck market was equivalent to about 33,000 per year... This year … our order intake would indicate further improvement and we see 2011 in the order of 35—36,000 units.
But would he comment on Euro 6 engines, following the lead of Mercedes-Benz and Scania? No – and yes. "The industry is not pushing us for Euro 6 and they won't need it until December 31 2013 registrations… Others have discussed their Euro 6 technologies, but I'm not going to stray into that territory – other than to point out that the MX engine, used in our CF85 and XF105, was a clean sheet design in 2006 with Euro 4, 5, 6 and beyond in mind.
"Since that time, we have considerable experience at Euro 4 and 5 in Europe and now that Kenworth and Peterbilt install the MX at EPA 10 emission levesl, a US standard not so far removed from Euro 6, we are gaining considerable experience there too."
DAF is showing an EPA 10 version of the MX on its CV Show stand – demonstrating its use of SCR (selective catalytic reduction), EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) and a soot filter.
Ashworth said: "We can't make any definitive statements about our Euro 6 MX engine programme", but you might want to push for some answers when you stop by the stand.
You might also want to ask about DAF hybrid diesel-electric trucks, which are now in production at Leyland and being demonstrated to interested fleet managers, with lease deals available.
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Author
Brian Tinham
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