On November 27, 2024, Valeo, a major player in automotive equipment, announced a large-scale restructuring plan. 868 positions eliminatedclosed factories, sites reduced to the strict minimum… This decision marks a worrying turning point for the French automobile industry, already weakened by the transition to electric and the economic turbulence in Europe.
Closed sites and sacrificed jobs: a dramatic impact
Among the sites concerned, La Suze-sur-Sarthe (Sarthe) et La Verrièrre (Yvelines) will suffer the heaviest consequences: outright closure. The employees of these factories, who play a key role in the production chain, find themselves facing a double penalty: the loss of their job and reclassification proposals often far from their living areas.
Other sites, like Isle-d’Abeau (Isère) or Sainte-Florine (Haute-Loire)will see their workforce drastically reduced. The L'Isle-d'Abeau factory, for example, will go from 308 employees to only 70a dizzying decrease which weakens its future.
Why such a restructuring?
According to Valeo, this plan is a direct response to the challenges posed by the transformation of the automobile market. The rise of electric vehicles (EV) and the changing expectations of manufacturers are disrupting traditional models. Christophe Périllat, general manager of Valeo, spoke of a notable slowdown in orders due to postponements in the launch of new models. But this explanation, considered insufficient by the unions, raises an essential question: why is this transition being made to the detriment of employees?
Bertrand Bellangerrepresenting Force Ouvrière, is indignant: “Sacrificing so many jobs to cut costs is a major strategic mistake. The ecological transition cannot be a pretext to weaken the automobile industry in France. »
An exception: Nogent-le-Rotrou, the island of stability
In this storm, the site of Nogent-le-Rotrou (Eure-et-Loir) is an exception. His 340 jobs are preservedthanks to strategic investments in future technologies, such as electronic sensors and head-up displays. The France 2030 program and the support of BPI France have made it possible to transform this site into a pillar of technological innovation for Valeo.
Harold Huwart, local MP, explains: “Nogent-le-Rotrou was able to anticipate the industrial revolution by focusing on high technology. This strategy is the key to facing the challenges of tomorrow. »
The difficulties encountered by Valeo are not isolated. Michelin, Bosch, Ford… Announcements of job cuts are increasing in the automotive sector. This context raises a crucial issue: how can French industry succeed in its ecological transition without sacrificing its workforce? The unions do not intend to remain silent. A call for a strike has been launched for December 12, in order to denounce not only Valeo's social plans, but also a broader deindustrialization which is hitting France.
