DAF Trucks enters fourth decade of UK market leadership

Securing a market share of 29.7% above six-tonnes GVW, the built-in-Britain brand’s unbroken run at the top of the UK market now enters its fourth decade, reflecting sustained confidence from operators across all sectors.

 

DAF Trucks’ UK market leadership rises from 28.4% in 2024, with 12,041 registrations holding up well compared to 12,780 the previous year, particularly when viewed against an overall 10% reduction in the market, falling from 44,988 in 2024 to 40,504 vehicles in 2025.

Figures supplied by the SMMT show the medium-duty two-axle rigid sector from six to 16-tonnes GVW contracted as a proportion of the total market, falling from 20.2% of the total to 18.6% with a sector size of 7,533; a fall of 1,571 units from 9,104 in 2024. Heavy-duty rigid registrations, which include two-axle rigids above 16-tonnes GVW, and three- and four-axle rigids, fell by 2,088 units and shrank slightly as a proportion of total registrations to represent 36.3% of the market; from 37.4%. Tractor unit registrations, at 18,254 units, are down a mere 825 from 19,079 in 2024, while the sector has grown as a proportion of the total market, now accounting for 45.1%; an increase from 42.4% in 2024.

Registration of electric trucks grew strongly with 587 electric heavy trucks registered in 2025 (representing 1.5% of the total market) compared to 217 (0.5% of the market) in 2024. DAF Trucks registered 84 electric vehicles in 2025. The strong growth in electric truck registrations has been supported by ZEHID funding and DAF's own initiatives for early adopters, demonstrating clear progress. However, additional work remains necessary to reduce barriers to adoption, and encouraging more operators to make the transition required to achieve legislative and environmental objectives. Very recently announced increases in the value of Plug in Truck Grants is welcome news, albeit at this stage only a short-term action to encourage uptake.

2025 marked significant milestones for DAF Trucks, celebrating 30 years of market leadership coinciding with 30 years of the DAF Apprentice Programme. In February ‘25, the programme relocated to the brand-new DAF Apprentice Academy in Nottingham, which boasts an 18-bay workshop and state-of-the-art classrooms. 525 apprentices are currently enrolled on technical, parts and truck sales courses.

The New Generation DAF range of vehicles received notable recognition through numerous national and international awards. The XB was named Fleet News' Best Truck up to 7.5-tonnes, while the XD claimed 'Truck of the Year' at the Motor Trader Commercial Industry Awards. The XF won the prestigious Motor Transport Fleet Truck of the Year Award, and the DAF XD and XF Electric were voted International Truck of the Year 2026 – the third time the New Generation DAF has received this accolade since market introduction in 2021.

The DAF Dealer Network continues to invest in new and improved locations, with several new facilities opening in 2025 including two new sites in the southwest for Adams Morey in Plymouth and Roche (Cornwall), and for Chassis Cab in Newmarket. In 2025, 24 workshop bays were added to DAF's UK workshop capacity. Since 2018, the DAF UK Dealer Network has added a total of 156 workshop bays – over 3km of extra lane space. The workshops at all 33 DAF Truck Sales locations achieved the highest-level Platinum Status in the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme which was introduced in 2025.

Central to DAF's continued success is the UK's most comprehensive dealer network, spanning more than 130 locations nationwide. The network continues to set benchmark standards in aftersales performance and uptime commitment, achieving impressive results across a range of KPIs in 2025:

- The DAF UK Dealer Network carried out 47,961 MOT tests in 2025 with a First Time Pass Rate of 98.9%.
- DAFaid responded to over 100,000 calls for assistance in 2025 with 90% of issues rectified at the roadside, helping to minimise vehicle downtime and avoid recovery costs. Calls to the DAFaid control centre are answered on average within eight seconds.

“Market leadership is earned by consistently delivering what operators need," said David Kiss, DAF Trucks Managing Director. "In a time of fundamental industry change, our focus is on helping customers manage transition practically and commercially, protecting uptime today while preparing for tomorrow. Our dealer network, aftersales performance and approach to electrification are making a significant difference."