DIESEL car fleet sales continue to drop, with April's 2.7% year-on-year decline being followed by a 15.4% decline last month to 13,645 (May 1998: 16,126). Diesel car sales now account for a 17% share of the UK fleet market with registrations of 77,665 - 13.5% down on last year's five-month total of 89,748 which accounted for a 19% fleet sector share. Total diesel car sales last month were down 7.7% at 23,848 (May 1998: 25,851) with diesel car sales this year now totalling 137,579 - 10.1% down on 1998's five-month total of 153,040.

Of the leading fleet diesel manufacturers, only three recorded year-on-year sales increases. Volkswagen saw registrations rise 94.8% to 1,827 units, Renault 15.8% to 844 and Audi saw sales rise 36.7% to 421 units. However Peugeot, despite a 15.7% drop in year-on-year fleet diesel sales, was the best-selling manufacturer with sales totalling 3,114 and in the 306 and 406 had the two best-selling cars in the sector. Mercedes-Benz made a rare entry into the fleet diesel best-sellers table last month, taking 10th spot with registrations totalling up 76.1% to 243 units.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel manufacturers in May were: Peugeot 3,114, Ford 2,569, Vauxhall 1,997, Volkswagen 1,827, Renault 844, Citroen 742, Rover 474, Audi 421, Nissan 249, Mercedes-Benz 243. Best-selling fleet diesel models were: Peugeot 306 1,436, Peugeot 406 1,284, Vauxhall Astra 937, Ford Focus 926, Volkswagen Golf 725, Vauxhall Vectra 681, Ford Mondeo 677, Volkswagen Passat 677, Ford Escort 447, Renault Laguna 368.