World Championship leaders Renault are clearly enjoying success both on and off the race-track.

With a 26-point lead in the World Championship, the French manufacturer can also celebrate the fact that it sold 1,355,621 vehicles in the first half of 2005, a 3.6% increase on the same period in 2004, securing a 4.2% share of the global market.

The French manufacturer consolidated its leadership position in Western Europe, commanding a 10.8% share of the market. Sales in the rest of the world were slightly up by 0.5%, a growth limited by the softening markets in Central Europe and Turkey. Elsewhere, the brand continued to grow, especially in Russia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

The overall outcome resulted from contrasting performances, as sales on Western European markets dropped slightly by 0.8% while sales in the rest of the world grew strongly by 16.8%.

In the 'old days' it went; 'win on Sunday, sell on Monday', in Renault's case this still seems to be the case.