Paris - Because of the crisis in the auto market, global sales for French car maker Renault plunged in October, forcing it to reduce its production levels, the company said on Friday.

The three makes produced by Renault - Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung - sold 188,116 vehicles last month around the world, down 14.1 per cent compared to October 2007.

In Europe alone, sales were off by 16 per cent, Renault said in a statement.

Because of slumping sales, Renault said it would reduce its production levels so that its stock of vehicles at the end of 2008 will be similar to what it was at the end of last year.

As a result, Renault said, some factories in France, Spain and Romania would be shut down for up to two weeks between November 20 and January 3, 2009. (dpa)