FRENCH car maker Renault SA yesterday reported a slide in first-half turnover but the decline was less pronounced than investors had feared after recent disappointing European and French car sales figures.

Renault said its group sales slipped 2.9 per cent to 94.085 billion francs from 96.208 billion.

Renault shares hit an all-time low of 107 francs recently after June sales showed its European market share down to 9.6 per cent from 11.1 per cent in 1995.