THE new Volkswagen Golf has retained its position as the best-selling car on Lex Vehicle Leasing's fleet of 178,000 vehicles, the first time a car has won this accolade two years running.

Reflecting the fleet market's trend towards driving smaller, more taxfriendly and fuel-efficient company cars, the fivedoor Golf 140bhp TDi was the pick of the bunch of the 46,000 vehicles supplied by Lex to its fleet customers in 2005.

Vauxhall's new Astra showed its increased popularity among drivers in second place, while the new BMW 3 Series retains its position on the list at number three boosted by its diesel engines and introduction of its M options on the car.

The new VW Passat not only achieved fourth place, it also took the accolade of the most quoted car of 2005. Both the Honda Accord and Vauxhall Vectra rose one place in the list to fifth and sixth respectively.

The Saab 9-3 enjoyed something of a renaissance in 2005, entering the chart for the first time at number seven, as did the Audi A4, which crept into the list at number ten.

The Honda Civic also enjoyed a surge in interest, clinging on to its topten spot for the second year running.

Diesel growth on the Lex fleet has slowed, but has still grown from 62 per cent of all purchases to 64 per cent in 2005.

"Drivers are constantly re-evaluating the make and model of car they drive based on its tax and mpg performance, which is why it's interesting to see the same car take top position for the second year running, " said Peter Knights, Lex Vehicle Leasing's head of communications.

"The appearance of the Saab 9-3 and Audi A4 for the first time also reinforces the fact that companies are making their car choice lists more flexible, which spells good news for all drivers."