FLEET diesel sales in July were 17.2% down on July 1996 at 3,771 units (4,553) with year-on-year fleet sales fractionally down on last year's seven month total at 111,124 (112,331). Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' figures released this week show that total new diesel car sales were 20.5% down year-on-year at 5,896 (July 1997: 7,414).

Peugeot was the best selling fleet diesel manufacturer last month with the 306 and 406 taking the top two positions in the best-selling fleet diesel models chart and Volkswagen took second spot as Vauxhall and Ford dropped to third and fourth places respectively. And Peugeot remains the best-selling fleet diesel manufacturer this year although figures are 14.9% down on last year's seven-month total. The 306 is the best-selling fleet diesel car.

Top 10 fleet diesel manufacturers in July were: Peugeot 1,416, Volkswagen 791, Vauxhall 622, Ford 601, Rover 512, Citroen 362, Renault 323, Land Rover 249, Fiat 140, Audi 123.