Renault seeks state-backed loan to build cash buffer

Renault seeks state-backed loan to build cash buffer

Renault seeks state-backed loan to build cash buffer
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REUTERS: Renault is in talks with the French government to secure a state-backed loan of several billion euros to shore up its liquidity during the pandemic, the French carmaker said on Thursday.

Interim Chief Executive Clotilde Delbos said Renault had enough liquidity to see it through the turmoil but was lining up credit lines and aid when possible, including in France and emerging markets.

“It is our duty to be on the safe side and to cover even black, black, black scenarios,” Delbos said on a call with analysts, adding that it was unclear how long the crisis would last. She said the French loan should be in place by mid-May.

Renault shares rose as much as 3.5% in early trading.

Like other carmakers around the world, sales at Renault have been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis as demand for cars plummets and many dealerships and production sites close.

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Few major French companies have yet tapped this form of state aid, barring consumer electronics retailer Fnac Darty.

Air France KLM is also moving towards a government-backed rescue deal.

Delbos said there were no strings attached to the French loan package other than reining in dividends. Renault has already cancelled its payout against 2019 earnings.

The firm said it had 10.3 billion euros of liquidity reserves at the end of March, 5.5 billion euros lower than the end of 2019.

The first quarter is traditionally a period when carmakers use cash to bump up stocks.

Renault, which has suspended its outlook for 2020, posted a 19.2% drop in first-quarter revenue to 10.13 billion euros.

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It said it would look to resume production in Europe where possible and was cutting costs in areas such as advertising.

Renault is due to update investors on its strategy to strengthen its alliance with Japan’s Nissan by mid-May, with details of cost cuts and joint purchasing plans.

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