Renault-Nissan Boosts Annual Sales 1%

The Renault-Nissan alliance says it sold a record-high 8.10 million vehicles last year compared with 8.03 million units in 2011.

Renault group sales fell 6% to 2.55 million units worldwide in 2012 as an 18% drop in Europe was partially offset by a 9% increase in other markets. The group derived more than half its annual volume outside Europe for the first time.

Nissan sales climbed 6% to a record 4.94 million vehicles last year. The company says strong demand in Japan and the U.S. offset its weak sales in China.

AvtoVAZ, the alliance's Russian unit, sold 610,900 vehicles in 2012, a 6% decline from the previous year. Demand was hurt by the end of government incentives for buyers.