IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Renault needs funding

Renault SA, France's second-biggest automaker, needs 9 billion euros to function normally this year, said spokeswoman Frederique de Greves, confirming comments by the company's sales chief Patrick Blain in Les Echos yesterday.

Renault may ask the state for more aid, although it will tap banks first, the spokeswoman said. She added that the company hasn't asked for government help yet.