French multinational vehicle manufacturer Renault has reported 4.7% rise in sales to 1,365,418 units globally in the first half of 2014, compared with 1,304,427 units in the prior year period.
The rise in sales was driven by the performance of the Renault and Dacia brands in Europe, which enabled the company to offset the sharp slowdown in emerging markets.
In Europe, the group sales increased by 18% but sales outside of Europe were dropped 9% due to the economic and financial crises, the company said.
Renault Sales and Marketing chief performance officer and executive vice-president Jérme Stoll said: "In the first half of 2014, Renault brand sales in Europe were up, thanks to Clio and Captur."
"Dacia is the fastest growing brand in the Region. As a result, Renault is able to diminish the impact of the decline in our main emerging markets and to maintain the Group's positive momentum," Stoll said.
The company now expects annual growth of up to 4% in Europe.
In line with this, Renault will focus on Clio, Captur, Sandero and Duster phase 2 products, launches of New Twingo and New Trafic and roll-out of New Logan and New Sandero.
