(Reuters) – French car parts maker Valeo on Tuesday posted slightly better-than-expected half-year core profit and reiterated its full-year guidance, citing a projected increase in global car output. Valeo’s half-year earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell nearly 8% year-on-year to 1.11 billion euros ($1.12 billion), but beat a company-supplied analyst consensus forecast of 1.07 billion euros. “The context has been difficult,” CEO Christophe Perillat told reporters, referring to microchip shortages that have dogged the automotive sector. However, he said the chip sit…