FLEET sales last month were 2.6% up on May 1995 in a total new car market up 8.5% as the private buyer returned to the car showroom for the first time in months. For the first time this year, the fleet share of the total market was down on 1995 levels at 49.53% with fleet sales of 82,056 against May 1995 levels of 79,952 giving the fleet sector a 52.37% market share. Total fleet sales this year are 427,382 (400,126).

The retail sales rise could be the result of the decision of Ford, Vauxhall and Rover to pull back from daily rental and fast cycle fleet business; reduced availability leading to a surge in residual values. At the same time, with some major motor manufacturers appearing to 'force the market' in the last few days of the month and with many of those 'self-registered' vehicles going into the fleet sector, there is widespread belief that the true fleet market is down.

Total new car sales last month were 165,685 - up from 152,658 in May last year - with the retail sector, which accounted for a 44% share, increasing by 13.5% over the previous year. Meanwhile, fleet and business registrations rose 5%. For the first five months of 1996 total new car sales are 859,352 - up 5.2% on the first five months of 1995 when the figure was 816,792.

Top 10 best-selling fleet manufacturers in May were: Ford 19,985, Vauxhall 14,386, Rover 8,123, Peugeot 8,070, Audi/VW 5,295, Renault 5,079, Fiat 3,921, Nissan 3,603, Citroen 3,190, Toyota 1,709. Top 10 best-selling fleet models in May were: Ford Escort 6,557, Ford Mondeo 6,514, Vauxhall Vectra 5,459, Ford Fiesta 5,314, Vauxhall Astra 4,088, Peugeot 306 3,137, Vauxhall Corsa 2,845, Rover 400 2,757, Peugeot 406 2,340, Fiat Punto 2,281.