DIESEL sales dropped in line with the overall new car market last month, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Total new car diesel sales last month were 11,607 (February 1998: 28,804) - 59.7% down - of which fleet diesel sales totalled 7,471 (February 1998: 16,996) - down 56%. Diesel sales to date this year are now down 42.6% year-on-year to 37,830 (1998: 65,853) of which fleet sales are down 38.3% to 23,001 (1998: 37,274).

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel manufacturers in February were: Peugeot 2,089, Ford 1,159, Volkswagen 1,100, Vauxhall 891, Rover 552, Citroen 437, Renault 270, Fiat 158, Nissan 155, Toyota 131. Top 10 best-selling fleet models in February were: Peugeot 306 1,045, Ford Mondeo 750, Peugeot 406 732, Vauxhall Astra 528, Volkswagen Golf 498, Volkswagen Passat 413, Rover 400 325, Citroen Xsara 237, Ford Escort 225, Peugeot 106 224.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel manufacturers in 1999 are: Peugeot 5,614, Vauxhall 3,717, Volkswagen 3,143, Ford 2,973, Rover 1,414, Citroen 1,334, Renault 1,320, Audi 671, Nissan 512, Toyota 509. Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel models in 1999 are: Peugeot 306 2,530, Peugeot 406 2,153, Vauxhall Astra 2,140, Ford Mondeo 1,790, Volkswagen Golf 1,448, Volkswagen Passat 1,244, Vauxhall Vectra 779, Rover 400 775, Citroen Xsara 658, Renault Laguna 611.