Renault's global sales fell 21% in 2020 on hits from coronavirus restrictions

Renault SA said Jan. 12 that its worldwide sales for 2020 declined 21.3% from a year earlier as the global auto market largely declined due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The French automaker sold 2,949,849 units in 2020 as compared to 3,749,736 units in 2019. Renault said its sales declined mainly due to its high exposure to countries that imposed tight COVID-19 restrictions and suspended their sales activities in the second quarter. A slowdown in the fourth quarter, particularly in France, also affected sales.

READ MORE: Sign up for our weekly coronavirus newsletter here, and read our latest coverage on the crisis here.

Renault CEO Luca de Meo said in a statement the company has pivoted its focus to profitability instead of sales volumes. "The first results are already visible in the second half of 2020, especially in Europe where the Renault brand is making progress in the most profitable sales channels and strengthening its leadership in the electric segment," de Meo said.

Sales in Europe declined 25.8% year on year to 1,443,917 vehicles in 2020, while electric vehicle sales rose 101.4% to 115,888 units. The company's electric car ZOE registered an increase of 114% in sales.

Denis le Vot, senior vice president of sales at Renault, said the company started 2021 with a higher level of orders than in 2019.