DIESEL car sales in both the fleet and total UK markets dropped almost 10% last month with the biggest casualties being the top three diesel manufacturers - Peugeot, Ford and Vauxhall. Fleet diesel sales last month totalled 16,267 - 9.7% down on April 1997's figure of 18,016 - in a total diesel market of 26,778 (April 1997: 29,153).

Despite the slump total UK diesel sales this year are 1.8% ahead of last year's four-month tally at 127,206 (1997: 125,016) with fleet diesel sales fractionally down at 73,629 (1997: 74,286). Peugeot diesel sales last month were 20% down year-on-year at 3,725, but the French marque still had the best-selling fleet diesel car in the shape of the 306 and retained its number one status in the fleet diesel market this year ahead of Ford.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel manufacturers in April were: Peugeot 3,725, Ford 2,990, Vauxhall 2,119, Citroen 1,856, Rover 1,493, Volkswagen 984, Renault 947, Audi 418, Nissan 316, Toyota 304.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel models in April were: Peugeot 306 1,815, Ford Mondeo 1,484, Peugeot 406 1,334, Vauxhall Vectra 1,030, Ford Escort 950, Citroen Xantia 809, Vauxhall Astra 735, Rover 400 725, Renault Megane 678, Volkswagen Passat 584.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel manufacturers this year are: Peugeot 17,647, Ford 13,054, Vauxhall 11,300, Rover 7,372, Citroen 5,278, Volkswagen 5,084, Renault 3,451, Audi 1,979, Nissan 1,474, Land Rover 1,437.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel models in April are: Peugeot 306 8,642, Peugeot 406 6,550, Ford Mondeo 5,746, Vauxhall Vectra 5,513, Ford Escort 4,364, Vauxhall Astra 3,944, Rover 400 3,679, Volkswagen Passat 2,976, Rover 200 2,309, Peugeot 106 2,283.