RAC and DAFaid Celebrate 50 Years of Roadside Rescue Triumph
The RAC is marking a massive milestone: 50 years of DAFaid, the gold standard in roadside assistance for commercial vehicles. Since 1992, DAFaid has been the RAC’s longest-standing business roadside customer, cementing a vital partnership for the UK’s commercial transport sector.
DAFaid’s Journey: From Fish and Chips to Fleet Champions
Founded in 1974, DAFaid teamed up with the RAC in 1992. The RAC developed a dedicated 24/7 control centre tailored specifically for DAF customers. In 2023 alone, this hub handled over 113,000 calls — a 5.6% spike on the previous year.
Based at the RAC’s Walsall HQ, the DAFaid Control Centre supports not just UK drivers but also DAF’s European service, the International Truck Service (ITS). Last year, it assisted over 1,100 DAF customers across the UK.
Special Celebrations and Truck Tours Mark the Big 50
To mark the 50th anniversary, RAC staff at Walsall got stuck into a unique ‘guess the part’ event featuring a DAFaid truck. They also toured two standout vehicles: the RAC DAF LF Tilt Slide Recovery Truck and the New Generation DAF XG 450. As a treat, colleagues enjoyed hospitality tickets to the Silverstone Classics Festival.
“It’s been a huge honour to be part of the DAFaid team since its early days at RAC HQ,” said Sharon Simmonds, RAC DAF operations manager. “From recovering thousands of vehicles — including giants like Sainsbury’s and DHL trucks — to moving a sleeping rhinoceros before it woke, and delivering COVID-19 vaccines, we’ve always aimed to get drivers back on the road quickly and safely.”
Partnership Powers UK Truck Industry’s Backbone
Andy Mudie, DAFaid and Aftersales Systems Manager, added: “DAFaid is key to our aftersales support, keeping trucks moving and maintaining nearly 30 years of UK market leadership. With over 500 technicians on call and a dedicated RAC control centre team fielding calls and updates, DAFaid is the benchmark for truck roadside assistance in the UK.”
This powerhouse partnership underscores the crucial role of rapid, reliable roadside support in keeping Britain’s commercial vehicles moving smoothly. As DAFaid hits the half-century mark, the RAC and DAF Trucks vow to deliver top-notch assistance for drivers and fleets across the country — wherever and whenever they need it.
