FLEET operators can still save thousands of pounds per vehicle by operating diesel cars as the dispute over diesel residual values intensifies. British Car Contracts stepped into the debate this week claiming that a company operating 750 Rover 600 diesel cars could save more than £1.5 million a year on a one-year contract against their petrol-engined equivalents.

Following last week's claims by CAP Black Book that diesel residual values had stopped their three-year slide and were improving (Fleet News May 10), BCC says the diesel market is 'alive and well' and that the proof was in the strong performance of diesels at auction.

Fleet sales figures for the first third of 1996 show that 22% of all fleet sales are diesel cars which, following the diesel sales boom of the early 1990s, reflects the 'natural level' of diesel sales, according to BCC.