Renault expects flat sales in '02.

Renault expects sales in western Europe to remain stable this year, despite economic downturns in many of the region's countries.

"Our central scenario is for a static market or a very slight weakening," said Francois Hinfray, Renault's senior vice president for sales and marketing. "The economy is weaker, but it has had no impact so far on the car market."

Last year, Renault sold 2,408,548 passenger cars and light-utility vehicles, a 2.2 percent increase from 2000. Much of the increase came from new territories that Renault has entered through the purchase ...