DAF

DAF, short for Van Doorne’s Automobiel Fabriek, is a Dutch car and truck manufacturer that has made significant contributions to the automotive industry since its founding in 1928 by Hub van Doorne. Initially focused on manufacturing trailers and other industrial equipment, DAF entered the automobile market in the 1950s and became known for its innovative engineering solutions and practical vehicles. One of DAF’s most notable contributions to automotive technology was the development of the continuously variable transmission (CVT), known as the Variomatic. Introduced in 1958 with the DAF 600, the Variomatic was the first commercially successful CVT, allowing for a smooth and efficient driving experience by automatically adjusting the transmission ratio to optimize engine performance. DAF’s passenger cars, particularly the DAF 33, DAF 44, and DAF 66, became popular in the 1960s and 1970s for their simplicity, reliability, and ease of driving. In 1975, DAF sold its passenger car division to Volvo, which continued to produce some of the existing models under the Volvo brand.