MOTOR manufacturers, led by Vauxhall, have called on the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to take action to improve the accuracy of sales figures. New car sales figures are compiled by the SMMT based on V55 forms filled in by dealers recording whether a registration is a fleet or retail car.

Vauxhall executive director sales and marketing Ian Coomber said: 'We want clear guidelines. If the statistics are to be of any use in helping us plan our business every dealer and every franchise must record registrations and sales in the same way.'

However, Ernie Thompson, chief executive of the SMMT, said: 'Our view reflects the views of our members in terms of information and the detail of it. We are totally in their hands. We know the retail market information is good but there is a question mark over the split between fleet and business - (sales to companies operating under 25 units).'

It is believed such a detailed breakdown is not possible using existing technology, but the DVLA's Automated First Registration and Licensing Scheme, which is already running at some dealerships, will make it possible. Vauxhall will shortly be the first manufacturer to implement the new computerised system across its dealer network after it and BMW assisted with a pilot scheme (Fleet News July 19).