Renault chairman sees flat 2003 European car sales

PARIS, Sept 28 Reuters reported that Renault SA chairman Louis Schweitzer said on Saturday he expected the French and European car markets to be flat next year after a drop of five percent this year, mirroring the forecasts of rival Peugeot.

"In 2002, we think the French market, in line with the global European market, will decline by roughly five percent," Schweitzer told Radio Classique in an interview from the Paris car show.

"We think that in 2003, based on our current forecasts, there should be a stabilisation, maybe a very slight growth in the French and European car markets," he added.

The forecasts were in line with those of Peugeot Chairman Jean-Martin Folz, who said on Thursday he expected a flat European car market in 2003 after a decline of four to five percent this year.