FLEET diesel sales are down 13.2% this year in a new car diesel market down 13.1%, according to sales figures for the first nine months of 1999. Total new car diesel sales are 245,992 (1998: 282,919), while fleet diesel sales total 139,060 (1998: 160,267). Predictably last month diesel sales were buoyant compared to September last year due to the launch of V-plate cars. Total diesel sales were 49,512 (September 1998: 26,441) of which fleet sales were 28,206 (September 1998: 15,208).

Despite the drop in fleet diesel car sales, of which only Volkswagen (up 48.2%), Renault (up 1.5%) and Mercedes-Benz (up 92.5%) have been immune, Peugeot, with sales down 14.6%, remains the number one diesel manufacturer. The French marque has the two best-selling fleet diesel cars in the 306 and 406 and managing director Tod Evans has blamed the decline in diesel business firmly on the Government's 'dirty diesel myth' with penalties at the pumps and a proposed 3% levy on diesel cars under the 2002 company car tax system.

Top 10 best-selling diesel manufacturers in September were: Peugeot 7,095, Ford 4,799, Vauxhall 3,414, Volkswagen 2,961, Rover 1,385, Renault 1,376, Citroen 1,152, Audi 846, Nissan 720, Mercedes-Benz 457. Top 10 best-selling diesel models in September were: Peugeot 406 3,036, Peugeot 306 3,007, Vauxhall Astra 1,896, Ford Focus 1,735, Ford Mondeo 1,471, Volkswagen Passat 1,174, Vauxhall Vectra 1,022, Renault Laguna 960, Volkswagen Golf 823, Ford Galaxy 733.

Top 10 best-selling diesel manufacturers this year are: Peugeot 33,690, Ford 25,084, Vauxhall 20,078, Volkswagen 17,376, Renault 7,836, Citroen 7,678, Rover 6,424, Audi 4,023, Nissan 3,007, Mercedes-Benz 2,298.

Top 10 best-selling diesel models this year are: Peugeot 306 14,793, Peugeot 406 13,815, Vauxhall Astra 9,795, Ford Mondeo 9,080, Ford Focus 6,900, Volkswagen Passat 6,706, Vauxhall Vectra 6,496, Volkswagen Golf 6,293, Renault Laguna 4,235, Ford Escort 3,848.