TWO months of falling fleet diesel sales in a declining total diesel market were halted last month with fleets buying 15,060 diesel cars - up 4.9% on September last year's total of 14,363. Total diesel sales were 0.9% down year-on-year at 25,262 (September 1996: 25,487) putting total diesel sales in 1997 4.2% down year-on-year at 284,589 (1996: 296,987) and total fleet diesel sales down 2.3% at 163,759 (1996: 167,678).

The top three fleet diesel manufacturers all saw significant increases in business last month, with Peugeot up 29.78% at 3,495, Ford up 10.51% at 3,302 and Vauxhall up 17.8% at 2,677.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel manufacturers in September were: Peugeot 3,495, Ford 3,302, Vauxhall 2,677, Rover 1,389, Renault 668, Citroen 662, Nissan 348, Audi 273, Land Rover 222. Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel models in September were: Peugeot 306 2,018, Ford Mondeo 1,878, Vauxhall Vectra 1,198, Vauxhall Astra 1,031, Peugeot 406 955, Ford Escort 932, Rover 400 727, Peugeot 106 473, Volkswagen Passat 432, Rover 200 401.