Valeo, a major automotive supplier, plans to cut 868 jobs across eight sites in France due to declining car sales in Europe. The company anticipates 694 forced departures and 174 voluntary exits.
Key sites affected include the closures of La Suze-sur-Sarthe and La Verrière, with some employees offered positions at nearby facilities. The L'Isle-d'Abeau site will reduce its workforce from 308 to 70 as it shifts production towards hybrid systems.
Overall, the potential job losses could rise to 1,282 if employees refuse transfers and considering vacant positions. Additionally, Valeo may cut 200 positions in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
This restructuring is attributed to a significant drop in French automotive production over the past decade, prompting the need for adjustments. Valeo's CEO highlighted delays in new product launches as a challenge for the company.
The announcement has sparked criticism from labor unions, emphasizing the need to balance cost reductions with job security in the evolving electric vehicle landscape.