THE fleet market continues to fragment, with emerging players taking an increasing share. Despite a retail revival in the second quarter, fleet sales accounted for 50.37% of the half-yearly market of just over one million vehicles - up 6.8% on 1995. Diesel sales continued to decline after reaching a plateau earlier this year.

Despite holding on to the overall top spot, Ford's sales slipped 7.5%, but Rover, in third place saw sales drop by 10% while Vauxhall's slipped by only 1.2%. All three manufacturers attributed the falls to further reductions in their daily rental business.

VW/Audi enjoyed the biggest percentage growth - up almost 85% from 15,523 to 28,670 units. Nissan saw sales rise (30%), as did Peugeot (17.1%), Renault (12.3%), Fiat (13.7%) and Citroen (11%). Toyota slipped at -3.8%.

Top ten fleet manufacturers in June were: 1. Ford 16,093; 2. Vauxhall 12,647; 3. Rover 8,61; 4. Peugeot 7,029; 5. Renault 6,805; 6. Audi/VW 5,706; 7. Fiat 4,086; 8. Nissan 3,892; 9. Citroen 2,155; 10. Daewoo 1,390. Top ten best-selling fleet cars: 1. Ford Escort 5,406; 2. Ford Mondeo 5,294; 3. Vauxhall Vectra 4,913; 4. Ford Fiesta 4,357; 5. Vauxhall Astra 3,692; 6. Rover 400 3,644; 7. Renault Laguna 2,649; 8. Vauxhall Corsa 2,427; 9. Peugeot 406 2,376; 10. Peugeot 306 2,190. Top ten diesel fleet manufacturers: 1. Peugeot 3,615; 2. Ford 2,910; 3. Vauxhall 2,337; 4. Rover 1,527; 5. Audi/VW 1,499; 6. Citroen 1,193; 7. Renault 770; 8. Nissan 234; 9. Toyota 129; 10. BMW 73. Top ten diesel fleet cars: 1. Peugeot 306 1,267; 2. Ford Mondeo 1,228; 3. Ford Escort 1,021; 4. Vauxhall Astra 997; 5. Peugeot 406 903; 6. Peugeot 106 898;7. Citroen Xantia 796; 8. VW Golf 778; 9. Rover 400 519; 10. Ford Fiesta 435.