FLEET diesel sales fell last month by 15.6% year-on-year to 17,165 from 20,349 in March last year - the second largest fall on record. SMMT figures reveal that the largest fall in fleet diesel sales was in December 1995 when they were down 16.9% year-on-year in a total diesel market down 19.1%.

Last month's fall was mirrored in the total diesel market where sales were down 11.7% to 29,767 (March 1996: 33,702). As a result of the decline total diesel car sales this year are down 4.5% to 95,698 (100,217) and fleet diesel sales are down 4.3% to 56,270 (58,772).

Best selling fleet diesel manufacturers last month were: Ford 3,737, Peugeot 3,639, Vauxhall 2,983, Rover 1,663, Citroen 1,322, Volkswagen 860, Renault 668, Audi 472, Nissan 408, Land Rover 367.

Best selling fleet diesel models last month were: 'Ford Mondeo 1,735, Vauxhall Astra 1,708, Peugeot 306 1,523, Peugeot 406 1,411, Ford Fiesta 959, Vauxhall Vectra 845, Ford Escort 784, Citroen Xantia 749, Rover 400 629, Volkswagen Golf 595.

Best selling fleet diesel manufacturers in 1997 are: Ford 13,069, Peugeot 12,702, Vauxhall 10,145, Rover 5,196, Citroen 4,252, Volkswagen 2,413, Renault 2,230, Audi 1,506, Nissan 1,013, Land Rover 979.

Best selling fleet diesel models in 1997 are: Ford Mondeo 6,868, Peugeot 306 5,936, Vauxhall Astra 5,375, Peugeot 406 4,353, Vauxhall Vectra 3,247, Ford Escort 3,192, Rover 400 2,509, Citroen Xantia 2,434, Ford Fiesta 2,112, Peugeot 106 1,901.