PACCAR’s decision to extend the suspension of truck and engine production at all of its factories worldwide until 20 April 20, should not impact DAF’s UK parts availability, says DAF UK MD Laurence Drake.
Speaking to Commercial Motor today, he confirmed that current parts supplies are good, and first-time pick rates have only fallen from 99% to 95%.
He said 100 of its suppliers that are currently in lock-down, which under normal business conditions would give him cause for concern. However, he said this is balanced-out by the fewer trucks on the roads. “Calls to DAFAid have fallen by 45% this week, and call-outs are down by 30%,” he explained. “Clearly our stocks of parts will last longer with less vehicles to put them on.”
Drake took the opportunity to praise the “epic response” of the DAF dealer network during the outbreak, and confirmed that all 134 of its dealers are performing at close to normal service levels. “The whole network has pulled together for its customers,” he said, “and my management team owes a debt of gratitude for the heroic resolve shown by all aspects of the business.”
