Renault Group (EPA:RENA) reported a 1.3% rise in vehicle sales for the first half of the year, fueled primarily by strong demand for passenger cars under its core Renault brand.
The company sold 1.17 million vehicles, slightly up from 1.15 million during the same period in the previous year.
This sales update follows Renault’s recent downward revision of its full-year financial forecast, citing a weaker automotive market and rising competition. The group also announced that CFO Duncan Minto has been appointed interim CEO.
Passenger car sales under the Renault brand surged 12% year-over-year to 642,652 units. However, light commercial vehicle sales fell by 23% to 165,761 units, and the company’s Dacia and Alpine brands also posted lower volumes.
Despite a 1% contraction in the overall European passenger car market, Renault saw a 5.4% increase in regional sales, delivering 708,106 vehicles. The Sandero and Clio remained top sellers in Europe.
Renault noted that electrified vehicles made up 59% of total sales in the first half.
Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its electric vehicle lineup in the second half of the year, with the launch of the €25,000 Renault 5 E-Tech and the Renault 4 E-Tech, both targeting the European market.
