Business · Trade · 1 hr ago
French auto industry leader calls for European-made parts requirements
Luc Chatel, head of the French Automotive Platform, is calling for European rules requiring cars made in Europe to use a minimum number of parts made in Europe.
The platform represents carmakers and parts suppliers.
Chatel says 75% of parts in cars produced in Europe are currently made there, but warns that the industry could lose about 40% of that share without action.
He links the risk to competition from China, which produces 35 million cars a year, compared with 1.4 million in France.
France’s car industry has already lost 50,000 jobs in five years.
A further 75,000 jobs in the industry are projected to go by 2035.
The proposal aims to protect European production and jobs, but no decision on adopting the rules is stated.
France’s car show is beginning, with about one-third of the brands taking part from China.
Luc Chatel, head of France’s Automotive Platform, called for European rules requiring cars made in Europe to contain a minimum share of European-made parts.
He said the proposed local-content clauses would help protect European jobs from Chinese competition.
The French automobile industry has already lost 50,000 jobs in five years, according to the article.
Chatel said 75% of parts in cars made in Europe are currently made in Europe, and warned that about 40% of that share could be lost if no action is taken.
Projections cited by the article estimate that a further 75,000 jobs in France’s automobile industry could be cut by 2035.
- Who
- Luc Chatel, president of France’s Automotive Platform, which represents automakers and suppliers.
- What
- He called for European rules requiring a minimum number of European-made parts in cars produced in Europe.
- When
- 12 October 2026.
- Where
- The proposal concerns car production in Europe; Chatel spoke on franceinfo.
- Why
- He said the rules would protect European jobs from Chinese competition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
exiger qu'une voiture produite en Europe ait un minimum de pièces fabriquées en Europe
nous allons perdre environ 40 % de ces 75 %
The French automobile industry lost 50,000 jobs.
Luc Chatel called on franceinfo for European local-content clauses requiring European-made parts in cars produced in Europe.
Projections cited from the Metallurgy Observatory indicate that a further 75,000 jobs could be cut in France’s automobile industry.
- Industry body
- France’s Automotive Platform (PFA)
- Current European-made parts share
- 75% of parts in cars produced in Europe
- Potential loss
- About 40% of that 75% share, if no action is taken
- French industry job losses
- 50,000 jobs in five years
- Projected French job cuts
- 75,000 additional jobs by 2035







