Essex tipper operator George Killoughery is buying 20 Euro-5 Renault Kerax 6x4 and 8x4 tippers - the firm has chosen them because of their fuel economy, which it puts down to their automated gearboxes. It's interesting how quickly the assumption that an automated gearbox can outperform the average driver has become a commonly accepted view: is it that the gearboxes are getting better, or the drivers are getting worse?

CEVA Logistics saw a pretty sharp fall-off in trade in the last quarter of 2008, and is predicting a difficult first quarter - who can argue with that?

You have to sympathise with a Norfolk haulier which unwittingly brought 39 Afghan refugees into the country in two of its trucks - it is now facing a £78,000 fine.