The carmaker said that sales rose 5.7% to 591,855 units in the last quarter, compared to a global market increase of 4.6%, and that it continued to gain market share in 13 of its 15 main markets.

Sales in Europe were down 4.0% in a market that fell 11.5%. In contrast, sales outside Europe increased 22.8% in growing markets to account for 42% of all group sales.

Strong growth was particularly seen in the Eurasia Region, where sales were up 37%, and in the Americas Region, where the group increased sales 41.3% in a market up by 14.1%. Renault also reported that it has broken through the 5% marketshare barrier for the first time in Brazil, with the achievement of a 5.3% marketshare.

The Renault Group also revised its expectations for the global automotive market, saying that this is now predicted to rise 9%, compared to 8% previously. For Europe, the market is expected to decline by 8% compared to 7% previously.

It added that Renault Group sales for 2010 should hit more than 2.5 million vehicles.