The Valeo logo at the Viva Tech show in Paris
by Gilles Guillaume
Valeo announced on Wednesday its intention to cut around a thousand jobs in Europe in the coming months, mainly in France, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as well as the closure of its La Suze-sur factory. -Sarthe and the transfer of the activity of its R&D site at La Verrière (Yvelines).
Latest example of ongoing restructuring in the automotive sector due to the switch to electric and the slowdown in the market, the automotive equipment manufacturer, specialist in driving aids and hybridization systems, plans to cut 868 jobs in France – mainly through forced departures – and 150 jobs in three other European countries, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, the sources added.
Valeo declined to comment.
The decisions presented Wednesday in the European Group Committee, which affect eight of Valeo's 37 production and R&D sites in France, aim to optimize the industrial footprint in France in particular to adapt it to the current reduction in automobile production, the sources said.
Valeo currently employs around 14,000 people in France, its second country in terms of workforce after China.
If the La Verrière R&D site closes its doors, the majority of its employees – 365 out of 390 – will be offered a position at two other Valeo locations in the Paris region.
(Report by Gilles Guillaume, edited by Blandine Hénault)
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