CITROEN, Mercedes-Benz and Skoda are all claiming record new car sales last year ahead of official Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' final sales figures due to be released next week.

Citroen says sales broke the 100,000 barrier for the first time - fuelled by a 36% hike in fleet sales and a 27% rise in van sales. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz achieved record UK sales for the seventh consecutive year with the final total expected to be about 63,400 - about 40,000 of which were fleet sales and Skoda sales were up 26% year-on-year for the first 11 months, with a total of 26,574, exceeding the 1999 total by 4,836 units.