French car maker Renault posted a decline of almost 7% in first-half vehicle sales amid a global car slowdown but said a forthcoming product offensive would begin to help soften the blow in key markets. Sales fell to 1.94 million light vehicles in January to June from 2.08 million a year earlier, the company said. The rollout of a new Clio mini will help lift sales in the second half, sales chief Olivier Murguet told reporters, bolstered by an updated Zoe electric car. While the core Renault brand’s sales fell 11.5% in the first half, lower-cost brands showed gains, with Dacia up 4.5% and the Russian Lada marque advancing 6.8%. Group sales were flat in a declining European market but down 27.7% in the sales region spanning Africa, the Middle East and India.

Source: Irish Examiner July 17, 2019 05:03 UTC