THE April fleet market was up 17.7% at 82,135 from 69,793 in April last year. For the year to date fleet sales stand at 345,326 - up 7.9% from 320,174 in the first four months of 1995.

The sales increases can be attributed to a mixture of new product - improving availability of Vauxhall Vectra, the Peugeot 406 and Honda Accord - Motability registrations and bodyshop courtesy car registrations where Nissan Micra, Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo and Fiat Punto were particularly strong, manufacturers' own registrations and daily rental business.

An analysis of the fleet and retail markets reveals growth took place in different areas. Last month in the fleet market supermini sales were up 27%, lower medium up 6%, upper medium up 18%, executive up 21%, Luxury up 49%, sports/coupe up 42%, off-road up 47% and MPV up 135%. In the retail market the sector-by-sector increases were: supermini 16%, lower medium 22%, upper medium 23%, executive unchanged, luxury 1%, sports coupes 7%, off-road down 1% and MPV 55%.

Top 10 best-selling fleet manufacturers in April were: Ford 18,331, Vauxhall 16,795, Rover 8,158, Peugeot 7,898, Renault 5,551, Audi/VW 5,032, Nissan 3,751, Fiat 3,547, Citroen 2,377, Toyota 1,914. Top 10 best-selling fleet models in April were: Ford Mondeo 6,628, Vauxhall Vectra 6,525, Ford Escort 5,830, Vauxhall Astra 5,606, Ford Fiesta 4,259, Peugeot 306 2,977, Renault Laguna 2,914, Vauxhall Corsa 2,905, Rover 400 2,811, Peugeot 406 2,307.

The best-selling fleet car this year is the Mondeo (31,748), followed by the Escort (25,799), while the Vectra holds third spot (25,713) ahead of the Astra (23,057).