Coke plans diet version of Vanilla Coke

ATLANTA - A diet version of Vanilla Coke will debut this fall, industry sources said Sunday.

The Coca-Cola Co. is happy with Vanilla Coke's sales since it debuted May 15 and wants Diet Vanilla Coke in stores by October, according to Beverage Digest, an industry publication.

The magazine reported that Vanilla Coke was the top-selling 20-ounce soft drink in supermarkets and drug chains in the four weeks following its launch.

``In terms of inital consumer interest, it's been very successful,'' said John Sicher, editor of Beverage Digest. ``It's too early to tell how it will do in the long run, but right now, it looks good.''