When Olympic marathoner Kara Goucher was deciding whether to run the race, she previewed the course from the lead truck in 2007.

WSJ: The Stretch That Makes the New York Marathon

Braking, gear-shifting and steering commands in the lead truck would be beamed via a wireless connection called an electronic tow-bar to the trailing vehicles.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

In this raw and vehement melodrama from 1980, Dennis Hopper, as director, gives himself the lead role of Don, a truck driver who is about to be released from prison, where he served time after drunkenly smashing his rig into a school bus.

NEWYORKER: Out of the Blue

My concept had a lead character called Trucky, a pick up truck who could pull the rest out of trouble.

FORBES: Five Ways Disney's 'Star Wars' Franchise Could Go Spectacularly Wrong

For the first time ever a road train comprising a Volvo XC60, a Volvo V60 and a Volvo S60 plus one truck automatically driving in convoy behind a lead vehicle has operated on a public motorway among other road users.

ENGADGET: Volvo's driverless road train in Spain is public mainly on the plain (video)

Still, executives at independent engine start-ups say they are getting a hearing from some established car and truck makers, and in a few cases are landing agreements that could lead to production deals.

WSJ: How to Make Better Car Engines

Even if Mr Serra is at last making a persuasive case, overturning a 14-point lead in just four weeks would be like performing a handbrake turn in a ten-tonne truck.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election