Renault first half sales drop less than market

French carmaker Renault said passenger car sales fell 13.7 percent in the first half, but its market share edged up and it achieved "significantly positive free cash flow" in the first six months of the year.

Renault said total vehicle sales -- including passenger cars and light commercial vehicles -- were down 16.5 percent worldwide, in a market that fell by the same amount, leaving its overall market share stable at 3.7 percent.

Renault brand sales were down 21.5 percent in the first six months, with car sales 19.1 percent lower and light commercial vehicles (LCV) posting a 33.2 percent drop. Renault launched five new models in the first half, including versions of its best-selling Megane range and a new Clio.

Renault's Romania-based Dacia brand -- which makes the low-cost Dacia and Sandero models -- saw a 22.9 percent increase in passenger car sales to 146,160 units, but LCV sales were down 13.7 percent.

In the world passenger car market, where the Renault-Nissan alliance ranks 4th, group sales were down 13.7 percent, at 969,361 units, in an overall market 15.6 percent lower.

The group's market share in passenger cars rose 0.1 points to 4.3 percent.

Renault's larger rival PSA Peugeot Citroen last week said its first half sales -- including kits of completely knocked-down (CKD) kits which are sold for assembly in other markets -- fell 14 percent in the first six months.

European car sales rose 2.4 percent in June, but were down 11 percent over the first six months of the year, industry association ACEA said earlier this week. The June increase was linked to scrapping incentives -- whereby governments allocate cash to pay drivers bonuses for trading in old cars for newer greener models -- the association said.