French Auto Sector Loses 1/3 Jobs, 46K in 13 Years; Suppliers Cut 31.5% Employment

French automotive industry employment fell by one-third from 2010 to 2023, according to INSEE, as carmakers accounted for 46,000 job cuts over the period. Declining sales against strong Chinese competition, factory closures, and relocations to cheaper labor markets in Eastern Europe exacerbated the decline. Renault and Stellantis (Citroën, Fiat, Peugeot) moved operations to Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, and Slovakia. The contraction spilled over to suppliers: equipment and component makers shed 31.5% of their French workforce, or 92,700 full-time jobs. Michelin, Valeo, Forvia, Bosch, Lisi, and Dumarey are closing sites. Disparities widened compared to non-automotive segments: rubber/chemicals down 43% vs 3%, metallurgy 42% vs 3%, metal products 27% vs near-zero, and chemicals 29% vs +19% growth.