FLEET sales surged 10.2% last month - the largest year-on-year rise this year - putting the market on course to break the one million barrier for the first time in 1997. A total of 84,420 cars were bought by fleets in June - compared with 76,626 in June 1996 - placing the fleet market 3.6% ahead of the six-monthly figure for 1996 at 522,322 (1996: 504,007).

Last month fleet sales accounted for 55.68% of all new car sales, which totalled 151,620 (June 1996: 141,266) - 7.3% up and the highest June volume since 1989, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Total new sales for the first six months of 1997 stand at 1,053,787 (1996: 1,000,618) - up 5.3% - with fleet sales accounting for 49.57%.

Ernie Thompson, chief executive of the SMMT, said: 'The June market continues the first half upward trend and indicates we are on course for 2.1 million car sales in 1997, a modest 4% above last year.'

Top 10 best-selling fleet manufacturers in June were: Ford 19,928, Vauxhall 12,493, Rover 9,503, Peugeot 7,115, Renault 6,261, Volkswagen 5,159, Fiat 4,029, Nissan 3,837, Citroen 1,895, Toyota 1,828. Top 10 best-selling fleet models in June were: Ford Mondeo 7,787, Ford Escort 5,554, Vauxhall Vectra 4,620, Ford Fiesta 4,273, Rover 400 4,071, Vauxhall Astra 4,041, Peugeot 306 2,838, Vauxhall Corsa 2,605, Peugeot 406 2,447, Rover 200 2,307.