ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet is pretty candid about the prospects of a rate rise over the next couple of months. The ECB its rates at four per cent yesterday, but don't be surprised to see them edge up next month according to this report.

In the UK, there seems to be a divergence of opinion, with the MPC holding rates steady this month, but looking likely to cut again before the end of the year, as inflation targets become a thing of yesteryear. For buyers of €uro-priced trucks, a sliding Sterling can only add to the misery.

In the US, Ben Bernanke is suggesting that he's got no more rate cuts planned for the near future, and yet the US consumer is still a nervous chap. With consumer confidence now at its lowest level in 15 years, the US economy is well and truly in the mire.

We've already seen truck registrations dipping in India - one of the key saviour markets or so we're led to believe. With inflation now at 8.24 per cent, and the Indian government no shrinking violet when it comes to rate hikes, expectations that this market might come close to stalling seem reasonable enough.