DAF Museum: Trucks and Cars From 1928 to Today

More than a hundred trucks, cars and engines, a replica of the forge where it all started, and the story of a family company that became one of Europe's biggest truck makers: that is the DAF Museum on the Tongelresestraat in Eindhoven.

The story of DAF

DAF is one of the great Eindhoven success stories, alongside Philips. It all began in 1928, when Hub van Doorne founded a small engineering works and repair shop in the city. Together with his brother Wim he started building trailers, and in 1932 the company got the name Van Doorne's Aanhangwagen Fabriek, DAF for short.

After the Second World War, DAF began building trucks and military vehicles. From 1959 it also made small passenger cars, which became famous for the Variomatic: a continuously variable automatic transmission that made driving remarkably easy. For many Dutch families, a small DAF was their first car. Later the passenger car business continued under the Volvo name, while DAF concentrated on trucks. Today DAF trucks are seen on roads all over Europe, and the company is still one of the largest employers in the Eindhoven region.

What you will see

The museum takes you through this history in a lively way:

The early years: a replica of the forge where the company started, the office of the founder, and a village square that recreates the atmosphere of the 1920s and 1930s.
Trucks and engines: on the ground floor, from early models to modern trucks, including open engines that show what happens inside.
Passenger cars: on the mezzanine, from the first DAF cars with the Variomatic to later models.

In total there are more than a hundred vehicles from 1928 to the present day. A major renovation completed in 2019 added a new wing to the museum.

Opening hours and tickets

Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00.
Adults: €14.50.
Students (with student card): €9.
Children aged 5 to 15: €7.
Children under 5: free.
Museumkaart holders: free.

For families

The DAF Museum is a favourite with children who love vehicles. There is a lot to see, and the big trucks make an impression on young and old. The museum is almost entirely indoors, which makes it a perfect plan for a rainy day. Plan around two hours for your visit.

For car and technology lovers

If you are interested in engineering, the open engines and the story of the Variomatic are highlights. Many visitors also enjoy finding the car their parents or grandparents used to drive. The museum organises special days for enthusiasts, such as the Hart voor DAF Dagen in October.

For internationals

DAF is one of the big employers of the region, and many internationals work in the high-tech industry that grew up around companies such as DAF and Philips. A visit to the museum helps you understand the industrial history of Eindhoven. Staff speak English.

Getting there

The DAF Museum is at Tongelresestraat 27, east of the city centre. From Eindhoven Centraal it is a walk of about twenty minutes, or a short bus or bike ride.

See our museums guide, Eindhoven with kids and our ideas for rainy days.