First it was the RAI show, then it was the CV Show - there was an awful inevitability about today's announcement that Tip-Ex has been cancelled. The Harrogate-based tipper show has become a viable successor to the TipCon of old, but the withdrawal of some of the major bodybuilders meant that the show couldn't go on - for this year, at least. Let's hope that Tank-Ex and Cool-Ex can still go ahead in a few months' time.

An impressively tenacious bit of litigation from the trade union Unite has resulted in around 1,400 ex-Leyland DAF workers getting a compensation payout of £5,000 to £6,000 apiece - 16 years after the firm went into administration!

With operators battening down the hatches in the current climate (economic and meteorological) it's not too surprising that Volkswagen is offering fixed-price servicing packages for its vans. That should prove pretty popular with retail customers keen to keep costs in check.

Meanwhile, Ford has launched an intriguing 'chassis-cab utility' version of the Transit - essentially a double-cab with the rear half of the cab turned into a secure area for tools and equipment (or particularly unruly workmen...)

Oh, and if you're wondering where all the gritters have gone, BigLorryBlog has the answer.