French automaker Renault said today that its 2021 sales fell 4.51TP2Q to 2,696,401 vehicles amid difficult market conditions as well as by the shortage of semi-conductors.

Renault, which also makes Dacia and Lada cars, said, however, that the group's order book in Europe had doubled compared to 2020 and amounted to more than three months of sales.

"The sales policy initiated in Q3 2020, is leading to an increased share of sales in the most profitable channels," the company said.

Dacia brand sales increased 3.11TP2Q to 537,095 vehicles, and Lada sales increased 0.31TP2Q to 385,208 cars.

Renault, along with its competitors, is betting on electric vehicles under Chief Executive Luca de Meo.

Renault said that in the five main European countries where it operates - France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK - the share of sales to retail customers now represented 58%, up six points from 2019, before the onset of the covid-19 pandemic.