PARIS (AP) -- French automaker Renault SA said Thursday that it would cut 2,000 more jobs at its European subsidiaries, bringing the total number of job cuts announced this month to 6,000.
Of the new cuts, 900 are expected in France while the rest will affect subsidiaries in other European countries, the company said in a statement. As in its previous announcement of 4,000 cuts -- presented to employees on Sept. 9 -- the company foresees trimming the workforce through voluntary departures.
The decision was taken to "ensure Renault's competitiveness and maintain its capacity to develop in the long term," the statement said.
The total of 6,000 cuts represents 4.6 percent of Renault's 130,000 employees.
Several Renault unions have called protests over the restructuring plan. Some employees of a factory in Sandouville, in Normandy, have been on strike for three days.
In July, Renault reported a 37-percent increase in six-month net profit but said it is falling behind sales targets.
Renault now expects to sell more than 3 million vehicles under its Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung brands this year compared with the 3.3 million goal first announced as part of its four-year turnaround plan launched in 2006.
