Paris - Renault sold just over 1.25 million vehicles worldwide in the first half of 2020, down 34.9 percent on the same period last year, the company announced on Monday.
The French carmaker explained that the sales slump was mainly due to its high exposure to countries that were subject to strict coronavirus lockdowns.
Sales in Europe, its biggest market, dropped 41.8 percent, compared to an overall market drop of 38 percent as reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Renault's announcement came days after French rival PSA, which makes Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and DS cars, announced a 45.7 percent year-on-year drop in first half sales.
Renault claimed a success in the growing electric car segment, with European sales for its battery powered city car, the ZOE, up 50 percent at 37 540 units.
Renault last month received a 5 billion euro (R94.5 billion) loan guarantee from the French government - its biggest shareholder - to help it overcome the coronavirus crisis.
Renault Zoe electric car.
The carmaker, which posted an overall net loss of 141 million euros for 2019, has also announced a 2.2 billion euro cost cutting plan for the next three years.
It plans to cut its standard annual manufacturing capacity from 4 million vehicles to 3.3 million by 2024.
dpa
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