MERCEDES-Benz is planning to cut supplies of its top-selling C-class model to corporate buyers next year. About 2,000 fewer saloons will be made available to fleets as part of moves by the company to balance retail supplies, corporate sales chief Mike Sands revealed at the British International Motor Show.

'This is our biggest player and it is holding its own against some very good competitors. Demand continues to be strong, even though the model is now into the last two years of its life - but prudent management means we're having to turn down the corporate numbers,' he said.

'By contrast, production of C-class and E-class estate ranges is being boosted, so we expect stronger supply of these cars, which are proving to be very successful at winning conquest business,' Sands said Mercedes-Benz UK was working hard to reduce delivery delays of up to nine months on the bigger load-carrier model, which was particularly popular in 300TD form. Sales of Mercedes cars are higher than ever before, according to Walter Greaves, passenger car director for the company's UK division. Latest figures show year-to-date sales of 43,646 units - an increase of 20% compared with the same period in 1997. Total registrations of Mercedes cars in the UK last year were 42,530.