In the year 2035, France is scheduled to phase out new combustion engine cars, sparking concerns among workers in the auto industry. The industry, which currently employs around 200,000 people in the country, is at a crossroads as it grapples with the impending shift to electric vehicles. While some regions like the emerging “Battery Valley” in the north of France are optimistic about the future, workers at parts suppliers elsewhere are feeling the pressure of uncertainty.
Severine Person, a quality control expert at a manufacturing facility in the town of Vouziers, expressed her concerns about the lack of investment in the transition to electric vehicles. The company she works for, acquired by Walor in 2018, is facing challenges as the demand for certain components like transmission differential housings and engine manifolds is expected to change with the shift to EVs. The looming closure of the factory in Vouziers is a grim reality for Person and her colleagues, highlighting the human cost of this transition.
While some parts of France are facing uncertainty, the north of the country is witnessing the emergence of battery “gigafactories” that are expected to create new job opportunities. The Automotive Cells Company (ACC) in Douvrin, a joint venture involving automakers Stellantis and Mercedes, along with TotalEnergies, is building a massive battery plant. The decision to locate the plant at a site that previously manufactured engines for Stellantis reflects a commitment to retraining and retaining employees in the evolving industry.
According to Plateforme automobile (PFA), the construction of gigafactories for battery production and recycling is projected to create around 17,000 new jobs by 2026. However, the transition to electric vehicles poses a significant risk to existing jobs in the auto industry. A study by the French metalworking industry indicated that 65,000 jobs in the sector could be at risk by 2030. Economist Bernard Jullien estimates that the shift from petroleum-fueled to electric engines could lead to the loss of 40,000 jobs in the auto parts sector over the next decade or so, despite the potential for retirement-driven attrition.
Ludovic Bouvier of the CGT metalworkers union is concerned about the potential offshoring of production by car manufacturers and suppliers in response to cost pressures. The decision by some manufacturers to produce electric vehicles in countries like Slovakia raises questions about the future of automotive production in France. While some believe that the shift to electric vehicles could favor the production of small cars in Europe due to lower labor requirements, others like Jullien predict a trend towards more offshoring, which could significantly reduce overall employment in the French auto industry.
The French auto industry is facing a period of significant transformation as it navigates the transition to electric vehicles. While there are opportunities for job creation in new sectors like battery production, the potential job losses in traditional auto manufacturing pose challenges for workers and the industry as a whole. As France looks towards a future without combustion engine cars, it will need to address the human impact of this transition and find ways to support workers through retraining and job creation initiatives.
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