FLEET sales dropped last month for the first time since November last year, but despite the slight weakening motor industry experts were concerned at the last-minute registrations of some manufacturers - in the last three registration days Fiat registered 48% of its monthly sales, Citroen 43.3%, Nissan 38.3%, Renault 32.1% and Peugeot 30.3%.

Fleet sales in March totalled 86,928 (March 1996: 89,996) - down 3.4% - with Ford, Vauxhall and Rover continuing to see sales fall although all three say 'net fleet sales' - excluding rental, Motability and captive registrations - are up. Peugeot joined the fallers last month with fleet business dropping 9.9% year-on-year largely due to the run-out of the 306 and a lack of availability on some models.

Fleet sales for the first quarter of 1997 are, however, 1.4% ahead of the same period last year at 266,916 (263,190). Last month's drop in fleet sales was offset by a rise in private sales with total new car sales down just 0.23% on March 1996 at 179,863 (180,275). First quarter registrations are 3.48% up at 549,534 (531,049).

Best-selling fleet manufacturers last month were: Ford 18,815; Vauxhall 15,857; Rover 8,496; Peugeot 7,368; Renault 6,454; Fiat 4,770; Citroen 4,099; Nissan 4,001; Volkswagen 3,694; Toyota 2,553. Best-selling fleet models last month were: Ford Mondeo, 6,518; Vauxhall Astra, 6,234; Ford Escort, 5,482; Vauxhall Vectra, 5,194; Ford Fiesta, 4,614; Vauxhall Corsa, 3,005; Rover 400, 2,931; Peugeot 306, 2,785; Peugeot 406, 2,614; Fiat Punto, 2,403.