The Renault group has revealed that world sales in the first half of 2004 increased by 6.5 per cent compared to the equivalent period last year.

The car manufacturer sold a total of 1,306,454 vehicles globally, driven by buoyant sales in Central and Eastern Europe and the economic recovery in Latin America.

However, Renault also secured a 10.9 per cent share of the passenger and light commercial vehicle (PC+LCV) market in Western Europe to maintain its position as top brand.

Sales in the region increased by 2.4 per cent compared to 2003 to 976,986 vehicles.

According to Renault, this performance "reflects a more selective sales policy aiming to maximise profitability".

Renault also consolidated its position as Europe's top diesel brand achieving a market share of 13.1 per cent on sales of 474,867 units.

Outside Western Europe, Renault sales increased by 21 per cent overall, rising sharply across all regions of the world except for South Korea.

The group predicted the European market would grow by one to two per cent over the remainder of the year.