THE near-regular monthly decline in fleet diesel car sales continued in October, but could the drop soon start to be arrested? With the Government not expected to penalise diesel company cars under changes in the company car tax regime from 2002 diesel cars are the clear winner under the proposed carbon dioxide-based emissions tax.

In the early and mid-1990s fleet diesel car sales rose to take more than a 20% stake of total diesel sales, but that figure has now dropped to 17% with two months of the year to go. Diesel car sales in October totalled 21,619 (October 1998: 23,762) of which fleets bought 12,766 (October 1998: 14,477). Total diesel car sales this year stand at 267,611 (1998: 306,681) with fleet sales at 151,826 (1998: 174,744).

Of the top 10 fleet diesel manufacturers only Volkswagen (up 43.1%) and Mercedes-Benz (up 89.9%) have experienced a year-on-year sales increase, although Peugeot, which has been leading the attack on the Government's anti-diesel stance, remains comfortably the number one fleet diesel manufacturer. Last month Peugeot was one of just four leading fleet diesel manufacturers to increase sector sales year-on-year

Top 10 fleet diesel car manufacturers in October were: Peugeot 3,255, Ford 2,616, Vauxhall 1,879, Volkswagen 1,432, Citroen 666, Renault 512, Rover 507, Audi 360, Mercedes-Benz 281, Toyota 277. Top 10 fleet diesel cars in October were: Peugeot 306 1,448, Peugeot 406 1,304, Ford Focus 956, Vauxhall Astra 804, Ford Mondeo 664, Volkswagen Passat 617, Vauxhall Vectra 530, Ford Galaxy 514, Volkswagen Golf 350, Ford Escort 340.

Top 10 fleet diesel car manufacturers in 1999 are: Peugeot 36,945, Ford 27,700, Vauxhall 21,957, Volkswagen 18,808, Renault 8,348, Citroen 8,344, Rover 6,931, Audi 4,383, Nissan 3,187, Mercedes-Benz 2,579.

Top 10 fleet diesel cars in 1999 are: Peugeot 306 16,241, Peugeot 406 15,199, Vauxhall Astra 10,599, Ford Mondeo 9,744, Ford Focus 7,856, Volkswagen Passat 7,323, Vauxhall Vectra 7,026, Volkswagen Golf 6,643, Renault Laguna 4,473, Ford Escort 4,188.