French car maker Renault saw its first-half profits soar to 1.2 billion euros despite losses caused by the earthquake in Japan, it said Thursday in an earnings statement. Net profit rose 56 percent to 1.2 billion euros ($1.72 billion) on record sales that rose 7.3 percent to 21.1 billion euros, while the earthquake which hit car parts suppliers cost Renault 150 million euros.