Colin Barnett - Commercial Motor

Colin Barnett

Colin Barnett has been involved in the road transport industry since becoming an apprentice truck mechanic in the early seventies. The end of 2022 will see him complete 25 years with Commercial Motor, with a secondment as editor of sister title Truck & Driver along the way. Today, as technical editor, he is witnessing at first hand the greatest changes in heavy goods vehicles since they replaced horses.

Follow the author

Mercedes-Benz Antos 1824L 4x2 truck review

Does the lesser-known Mercedes-Benz Antos deserve a shout-out? We review its credentials.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

Scania S650 6x2 truck review

Is running a V8 a sound business decision, an easy emotional one or a bit of both? CM reviews a Scania S650 6x2 to find out.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

Renault T480 6x2 truck review

Three years after it first arrived on the scene, CM puts a 13-litre Renault Range T 6x2 through a review

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

January 27, 2025

Volvo FH16 750 6x2 truck review

After trying it out in Sweden, CM gets behind the wheel of Volvo’s FH16 750 to review it on UK roads

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

January 27, 2025

Volvo FH 500 dual clutch 6x2 truck review

Volvo is the first company to use the direct shift gearbox on a heavy truck. CM reviews the FH 500 DC to see how well it works in an HGV

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

January 27, 2025

Volvo FH16 750 6x2 truck review (2020)

CM reviews Volvo’s FH16 750 6x2, a powerhouse of a performer that still offers fuel economy similar to the fleet trucks of yesteryear

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

January 14, 2025

Renault D 26 Optifuel Wide 6x2 R 320 Euro 6 truck review (2019)

We re-review Renault’s D 26 Optifuel Wide 6x2 R 320 E6 to see if it is a worthy contender for the third decade of the 21st century.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

January 14, 2025

Iveco S-Way MY2024 truck review

CM puts Iveco’s new S-Way through its paces and discovers that not only does it have clear benefits for the operator, but also that driver appeal has been firmly addressed in the latest iteration.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

January 10, 2025

Scania S500 Highline 6x2 truck review

Our review of the Scania S500 shows that the Swedish manufacturer continues to push the boundaries of truck design and engineering

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

December 24, 2024

Volvo FH 460 I-Save 6x2 truck review

CM reviews an I-Save equipped Volvo FH 460 6x2 to see if the claimed fuel efficiency gains from compound turbo technology stack up.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

December 23, 2024

Renault D 26 Optifuel Wide 6x2 R 320 Euro 6 truck review (2016)

CM reviews Renault's D 26 Wide 6x2 middleweight rigid to see if it cuts the mustard for distribution operations.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

November 14, 2024

DAF XF 510 FTG 6x2 truck review

The 6x2 DAF XF sells well in the UK, but how will it perform in a CM truck review?

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

October 18, 2024

Renault Trucks assembly plant marks 60th anniversary

In 1964 the Renault Trucks commercial vehicle assembly plant in Bourg-en-Bresse opened

Industry News - Colin Barnett

October 17, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Actros 2545LS 6x2 truck review

CM reviews the Mercedes-Benz Actros 2545LS, which has more than its fair share of new technology – much of it designed to boost fuel-efficiency.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

October 14, 2024

DAF CF370 FAN 6x2 truck review

DAF leads the way with the number of variants it makes available to suit the most demanding customer. CM reviews a CF by way of example

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

September 30, 2024

Mercedes-Benz Actros Euro-6 truck review

After months of positive feedback about the Euro-6 Mercedes-Benz Actros, CM finally gets to review one

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

September 26, 2024

How the Volvo FMX compares as a diesel or electric truck

As the world obsesses over the transition to electric vehicles, we put two similar Volvo trucks – one diesel, one electric – through an identical road test to see how they compare on overall performance and price.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

Why AR Richards refuse fleet is at the cutting edge of waste management

Tucked away deep in the Shropshire countryside is a company that prides itself on its ability to provide a competitive and reliable service to its loyal customers

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

Award winning DAF XD put through its paces

As the 2023 winner of International Truck of the Year, we thought it was time to put the DAF XD 410 through its paces in a variety of conditions, to see if it lives up to the hype

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

DAF XD: We put the award winning truck through its paces

As the 2023 winner of International Truck of the Year, we thought it was time to put the DAF XD 410 through its paces in a variety of conditions, to see if it lives up to the hype

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

Volvo dealer Truck & Bus Cymru's journey to becoming Pembrokeshire's largest private employer

CM travels to west Wales to visit a newly rebranded dealership that has recently celebrated 40 years with the Volvo franchise and is the largest private sector employer in Pembrokeshire.

Knowledge Hub - Colin Barnett

February 8, 2024

New MB Arocs mixers and tipper for Brice Aggregates

Essex aggregate specialist takes 7 new Arocs from opportunistic dealer

News - Colin Barnett

August 29, 2023

DAF XB launched to replace DAF LF

DAF Trucks has announced its new middleweight XB range, completing the full product renewal programme

News - Colin Barnett

August 24, 2023

HVO available from more UK Fuels sites

UK Fuels is increasing the number of its accessible roadside sites offering HVO

Industry News - Colin Barnett

Electric Ivecos on the way

Battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell Ivecos are due for the road by year end

Industry News - Colin Barnett

Heavy Renaults get dash and safety upgrades

Renault Trucks' heavy duty models receive new digital dash and safety upgrades

Industry News - Colin Barnett

ZF and Tevva partner on EV regen braking

ZF and Tevva have collaborated to create enhanced regenerative braking for EVs

News - Colin Barnett

Knowles takes its first electric truck

Knowles Transport takes delivery of Volvo electric truck

Industry News - Colin Barnett

LST small print revealed

Full details of the operation of Longer Semi-Trailers has been published

Compliance News - Colin Barnett

FM Conway takes more Andover Trailers

Andover Trailers delivers new batch of low-loaders to FM Conway

Industry News - Colin Barnett

Go-ahead for Longer Semi-Trailers

Longer Semi-Trailers get approval for regualar operations in UK

Compliance News - Colin Barnett

Volvo's Croydon dealership gets £2m makeover

Volvo Trucks' Croydon dealership refurbishment has been unveiled

Dealer News - Colin Barnett

MAN eTruck undergoes winter testing

MAN’s 2025 eTruck has completed four months of arctic testing

Product News - Colin Barnett

Loyal Bolshaws driver gets high-spec DAF XG+

Macclesfield's BolshawPowder Industries allocates new XG+ to loyal DAF driver

Product News - Colin Barnett

DB Schenker to take 100 e-Actros LongHaul tractors.

Daimler Trucks and DB Schencker sign letter of intent to supply 100 eActros LongHaul tractors

Product News - Colin Barnett

First electric RCVs for Enfield Council

The London Borough of Enfield has taken the first of four electric RCVs Renault Trucks

News - Colin Barnett

Asset Alliance places order for 1,500 new DAFs

Asset Alliances orders 1,500 diesel and electric DAF trucks

News - Colin Barnett

First Renault T Highs for Youngs

Youngs Transportation & Logistics takes Renault artics

News - Colin Barnett

February 22, 2023

UK's HGV market up 9.6% in 2022

The UK truck market continued to recover well in 2022

Industry News - Colin Barnett

February 21, 2023

New European Commission CO2 targets revealed

EC shows CO2 goals, but says no to e-fuels

Industry News - Colin Barnett

February 16, 2023

36 new Fruehauf trailers heading to Openfield co-operative

Lincolnshire-based co-op Openfield takes 36 Fruehauf bulk tippers

Product News - Colin Barnett

February 8, 2023

French invasion captures Sparshatt group

Kent Merc dealer Sparshatt acquired by French group

News - Colin Barnett

February 7, 2023

New government grants to speed autonomous transport

£42 million grants to promote self-driving road transport

Product News - Colin Barnett

February 1, 2023

Three in a row for Motus apprentice

Hat-trick for Motus apprentice Josh Barber

News - Colin Barnett

January 31, 2023

Actros heading in Toutes Directions

Toutes Directions fill two roles with new Actros variants

Product News - Colin Barnett

January 19, 2023

Volta adds to heavyweight board

Volta adds industry veterans to board of directors

Product News - Colin Barnett

January 19, 2023

Manfreight’s connected curtainsiders

Manfreight takes 20 high-tech Schmitz Cargobull curtainsiders

Product News - Colin Barnett

January 18, 2023

Clive Cowern Transport expands with high-tech fridges

Clive Cowern Transport expands trailer fleet with high-tech fridges

Product News - Colin Barnett

January 18, 2023

Radical new curtainside printer for Sapphire

Don-Bur subsidiary Sapphire invests in state-of-the-art printer

Product News - Colin Barnett

January 13, 2023