FLEET sales in 1996 are on course to reach record levels following a 14.2% rise in the traditionally poor month of July. Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveal fleets bought a total of 22,805 cars last month - 14.2% up on July 1995's 19,693 units - to take fleet sales for the first seven months of 1996 to 526,813 units (1995: 491,731).

And with vehicle manufacturers predicting August sales will be close on 500,000 units it is likely the fleet share will be more than 40% of the total monthly market. As a result it is expected 1996 fleet sales will beat the 1995 fleet sales record of more than 912,000 units. Total new car registrations last month were 39,150 - 17% ahead of the 33,459 registrations in July last year - with total 1996 new car sales now standing at 1,039,768 compared with 985,152 last year, a 5.5% rise.

Top 10 best-selling fleet manufacturers in July were: Ford 3,850, Rover 3,623, Vauxhall 3,483, Audi/VW 2,512, Peugeot 1,978, Fiat 1,698, Nissan 1,370, Daewoo 931, Renault 748 and Citroen 413.

Top 10 best-selling fleet models in July were: Rover 400 1,817, Ford Escort 1,545, Vauxhall Astra 1,251, Vauxhall Corsa 1,187, Ford Fiesta 1,072, Ford Mondeo 1,026, Volkswagen Golf 999, Fiat Punto 969, Vauxhall Vectra 746 and Peugeot 406 673.