Daf

Daf, a Dutch automaker, carved a unique niche in automotive history. Founded in 1932, the company initially focused on commercial vehicles, a legacy that shaped its engineering philosophy. Their most significant contribution, the Variomatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), debuted in passenger cars in the late 1950s. This innovative technology, offering smooth, gearless acceleration, was a defining characteristic of Daf cars and a source of both fascination and criticism. While the Variomatic was mechanically simple and offered good fuel economy, its rubber belt design and unusual driving feel were not universally embraced. Daf's compact, often quirky, designs, like the Daffodil and 33, further cemented their distinctive identity. Ultimately, Daf was acquired by Volvo in 1975, marking the end of its independent passenger car production.