News

As lead times for new LGVs in the UK and on the Continent reach record levels, Paccar-owned Leyland Trucks is increasing production at its Lancashire plant by 17.5%. The company will produce right-hand versions of all Daf models from 7.5t to 44t, including the award-winning Daf XF105 tractor unit.

The decision to boost production means output at the Leyland Assembly Plant will exceed 20,000 trucks per year, the highest level ever achieved in its 111-year history. MD Stuart Heys says a 40-hour working agreement on the production line and £35m investment by parent company Paccar led to the decision to raise output.

However, spiralling demand for Daf models across Europe has also put pressure on the plant to increase production. One CM reader, Anthony Hughes of Lincoln-based JJ Hughes Haulage, claims his local Daf agent told him he would have to wait until November 2008 before getting the 44t unit he needs (CM 30 August, Letters).

Daf marketing director Tony Pain confirms that demand in the UK is as high as on the Continent, but that Leyland's decision won't reduce lead times immediately: "Demand has gone up by 80% in the UK and Europe," he says.

"The  increase in production does in some way help lead times because 90% of what we sell in the UK is built in the UK. But, in truth, that was already factored into the lead times that we know about."