FLEET diesel sales increased 1.2% year-on-year in November - the fifth monthly increase this year - taking sales in the sector this year close to last year's 11-month tally.

Fleet diesel car sales last month totalled 14,414 and the 1.2% year-on-year increase has taken fleet diesel sales in 2000 to 164,458, 1.2% down on last year's 11-month tally of 166,469. Total diesel car sales in November were 24,488, 10.6% up on November 1999's 22,138, while this year total diesel car sales are 296,180 - 2.2% up on last year's 11-month total of 289,749.

Peugeot remains the dominant diesel manufacturer and in the 406 has the best-selling fleet diesel car, while the Ford Focus accounts for more than half of Ford's fleet diesel sales.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel manufacturers in November were: Peugeot 3,427, Ford 2,804, Vauxhall 2,528, Volkswagen 1,325, Citroen 1,021, Renault 722, Audi 477, BMW 288, Mercedes-Benz 278, Rover 249.

Top 10 best-selling fleet diesel models in November were: Peugeot 406 1,694, Ford Focus 1,474, Vauxhall Astra 1,206, Peugeot 306 806, Vauxhall Vectra 775, Citroen Xsara 624, Volkswagen Golf 565, Peugeot 206 564, Ford Galaxy 473, Ford Mondeo 426.