THE Renault Clio has raced to the top of the European small car sales chart. The car has scooped 10.47 per cent of the market this yearand the range is due to expand next year with the arrival of the performance Renaultsport Clio 172 2.0 16V.

Charity pledge

Vauxhall is asking potential customers to forego the company's usual test drive 'thank you' high street voucher and allow Vauxhall to donate the equivalent amount instead to the NSPCC's Full Stop charity. The initiative runs until the end of January and Vauxhall dealers across the country are taking part. It is hoped that the scheme will raise at least £10,000 for the charity's campaign to end child cruelty.

New Felicia

Czech car-maker Skoda has introduced a new version of its popular Felicia. The Felicia LX D is available as a hatchback only and features the 1.9-litre 64 horsepower diesel engine. Standard equipment includes power steering, central locking, driver's airbag radio cassette and engine immobiliser. Price is £8,699 on the road.

Audi centenary

An exhibition dedicated to 100 years of design by German car maker Audi is being staged at the Design Museum at 28 Shad Thames, in south east London, until January 9. Tickets for the Audi Centenary Exhibition, priced at £5.50 for adults and £12 for a family, also give access to the museum's permanent exhibitions.

Fleet leader

The Vauxhall Vectra has come out top again as the best car for fleet operators and their drivers. It has been named joint winner of the Car of the Year title in the annual Association of Car Fleet Operators' fleet vehicles of the year awards. The Astravan won the light van award.

Story date: Wednesday 15 December

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.