FLEET sales in 1996 are taking a near 50% of the total new car market as private buyers continue to stay away from showrooms. Fleet sales in 1996 total 263,191 units - up 5.1% from 250,381 in the first quarter of 1995 - to take a 49.56% share of total sales - up from 47.66%. Last month fleet sales totalled 89,997 - up 3.5% on the 86,958 units sold in March 1995.

Ford remains number one in the fleet market with total sales in 1996 to date of 64,353, ahead of Vauxhall on 52,762 and Rover on 30,093. However, all three big players have lost sales on last year - down 9.8%, 1.2% and 8.8% respectively - with the other loser in the top 10 fleet manufacturers being Citroen (down 0.4%).

Despite that decline the big three's models still occupy the top six best-selling fleet model list in the year-to-date. Of the other manufacturers the biggest gains have been made by Peugeot with sales up 8.4% at 23,617, Renault up 10.2% at 16,830, Audi/VW up 92.8% at 12,637 - although Volkswagen sales when split out are up 93% at 8,551 from 4,430 - Nissan up 26.6% at 11,850, Fiat up 14.9% at 11,395 and Toyota up 12.6% at 5,976.

Best-selling fleet models in March were: Ford Mondeo 6,799, Vauxhall Vectra 6,748, Vauxhall Astra 6,504, Ford Escort 6,046, Ford Fiesta 5,201, Rover 400 4,177, Peugeot 306 3,612, Vauxhall Corsa 3,460, Rover 100 2,247, Fiat Punto 2,156.