Brussels highlights euro components preference.(Van Doorne's Bedrijfswagenfabriek DAF B.V.)

Europe's first commercial vehicle exhibition of 2001 was the launch platform for local manufacturer DAF Trucks' all-new LF range of light-middleweight chassis.

DAF, owned since 1996 by the giant American Paccar group, is set to become more competitive in the high volume six to 18 tonne weight sector following the Brussels launch of its long-awaited 45 and 55 Series replacement chassis in Brussels. Under the angle LF range designation, the new light/middleweight DAFs are being built, like their predecessors, at the Leyland Trucks plant in north-west England (acquired by Paccar in 1998) where annual output is now at an all-time high of 12,000 units.

Alongside the outgoing models, the LF is outwardly distinguishable chiefly by its cab, developed in a joint venture with Renault VI and fitted for the last year on RVI's Midlum chassis. The outgoing 45/55 Series trucks built at Leyland, originally under the model name Roadrunner in the 1980s, were equipped with a cab built by Motor Panels, now a …