RENAULT secured a market share of 11.5% in Western Europe for the first half of this year – its best performance in 10 years.

In Western Europe its sales were up by 0.7% in a market that contracted by 4.7%.

'In the passenger car and LCV market in Western Europe, Renault confirmed its ranking as number-one brand and increased its lead, taking 11.5% of the market, its best performance in 10 years,' Renault said.

It said the growth of the Dacia brand and in particular the Renault Samsung brand contributed to the 3.9% rise in group sales outside Western Europe.

The French manufacturer said total sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles of the Renault group worldwide, including Samsung and Dacia, rose by 1.3% to 1,280,380 units compared to 1,264,068 in the first half of 2001.

Commenting on the outlook, the manufacturer said: 'In Western Europe, the trend in the car market observed in the first six months should continue and lead, in the full year, to a market decline of approximately 5%. Outside Europe, no significant change is expected in the second half.

'On the strength of results obtained in the first half, Renault will pursue its cost-cutting efforts and carry out the planned renewal of its product range with the launch of the Espace IV and Megane II,' it added.