A bombshell. In an interview with Le Figaro, the CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, found it difficult to produce small electric cars profitably in France, to say the least. “I have a very big doubt that we can produce very compact electric vehicles profitably in our country,” said the manufacturer. A position that was not to the taste of Bruno Le Maire. Invited on BFMTV this Wednesday, the Minister of Economy and Finance expressed his “disagreement” with the automotive leader, defending the attractiveness of France.
“When we see the acceleration of climate change, (…) the right economic strategy is to commit completely to the electric car”, began the minister, before putting the relocation of the production of the electric Peugeot e-208, the manufacturer’s entry-level model. “Carlos Tavares is a man of challenge. I therefore ask him to take up this challenge, to build small electric vehicles in France like the e-208, ”he said, ignoring the reluctance of the boss of Stellantis. Otherwise, “part” of the production could be relocated to France, then added the boss of Bercy.
To support his point, the minister took the example of the manufacturer Renault, which agreed to relocate part of its electricity production to France. “Luca de Meo at Renault builds in the territory of small vehicles like the R5. Why doesn’t Stellantis do it?” asked Bruno Le Maire. In his interview published on Wednesday, Carlos Tavares explains that the two manufacturers are betting on “different strategies”. “We will read later in the results who will have been right,” he adds to the place of his competitor Renault.
More than the French manufacturers, it is the Chinese giants who worry the leader of Stellantis. Especially since Europe would have, according to him, “rolled out the red carpet”. “Europe has based its regulations on what is precisely the strong point of Chinese manufacturers. They are attracted to a market that is profitable. We invited them there,” he said.
An accusation that Bruno Le Maire hastened to refute. “Stellantis is very happy, like other manufacturers, to benefit from French aid, bonuses on electric vehicles, support for French industry”, he said at the microphone of Apolline de Malherbe. And to call again to “accelerate” the development of the electric car, by building in France above all. “I hope Carlos Tavares takes up the gauntlet,” concluded the minister, calling on manufacturers to “also show a little economic patriotism.”
