Renault F1 engine shutdown: « a loss of skills, know-how » according to deputy Claire Lejeune

At the closest. Since the announcement of the end of Renault engines dedicated to Formula 1, Claire Lejeune has provided unwavering support to the members of the Viry-Châtillon factory. The deputy of the seventh district of Essonne is present at every mobilization of the employees, whether in front of the factory or in Boulogne-Billancourt, the group's headquarters.

You have been present at several factory employees' gatherings, it's a cause that touches you...

I was alerted to the case this summer when employees learned the news. Very quickly, I contacted the trade unionists and members of the CSE because, even from the point of view of the brutality of the decision, these are things that are intolerable.

Renault benefits from public subsidies, there is a duty on the part of Renault's management to maintain jobs and not cause industrial damage as they are doing here.

What does the Renault engine represent to you?

The way I see it, Renault is leaving behind a part of its sporting and industrial heritage that has been quite long at the Viry site. With championship titles, of which they can be very proud if we look at the long term. It is also a loss of skills, know-how, and technological ambitions. Beyond the strict ambition of Formula 1, there are a lot of innovations happening in F1 that are replicated in production vehicles.

So, at a time when the French automotive industry is facing immense challenges, particularly in transitioning from traditional engines to electric power, dropping out like this sends a negative signal. Very clearly.

It is an aberrant decision from a sporting and industrial point of view. There are a series of questions that arise at several levels.

During the various gatherings, what was the message of the employees?

What struck me in the exchanges I've had is that the employees are highly committed individuals in their profession, which is also a passion. And now, they see themselves promised a very uncertain future through the activities through which the production of the engine block will be replaced, which do not correspond to their basic profession.

« Beyond the jobs in Viry, it is the entire subcontracting chain that will be affected. »

There is a social issue on which employees have been mistreated throughout this process. They finally have a meeting on Friday. So far, they have struggled a lot to establish a dialogue with the management of the Renault group.

As a parliamentarian, I could only address a resigning government that could only deal with current affairs. And in the margins of maneuver, their interventions on the file were going to be limited, while the State is a 15% shareholder of the group.

Mobilisée aux côtés des salarié.e.s d'Alpine F1✊

Ici à Viry-Châtillon, il est question de capacités industrielles, de savoir-faire et de compétences, mises en cause par la décision brutale de Renault.

Je serai avec eux, en portant aussi la bifurcation écologique du secteur. pic.twitter.com/pplEns5shi

— Claire Lejeune (@ClaireMLejeune) August 30, 2024

There is the issue of mastery and industrial sovereignty, which is a crucial issue because it will determine our ability to transition the automobile industry. From F1 to the series on the electric issue, it is also about building a real automotive industry in France.

We are talking about the case of Viry, but there is also the factory in Lardy (Essonne), which has been experiencing losses in terms of workforce for years. At the national level, it's the same thing, there is damage.

It's the same for subcontracting. With the case of Viry, there will be implications for a Mecachrome factory. Beyond the jobs in Viry, it's the entire subcontracting chain that will be affected. Before the announcement, there were no bad signals. Employees had no indicators of this change in direction taken by Renault's management.

Are you passionate about motorsport?

My father used to watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race. As a result, I was in contact with this passion. Personally, it is not an interest that has really marked my life. Now, I am discovering this world. I spend time talking to the employees. It is beautiful to see people whose job is a passion and who practice it with dedication.

What could be the economic consequences of the definitive suspension of the production of F1 engines for Viry-Châtillon and Essonne?

On the side of Viry, they would be important because it is one of the main employers in the city. And for many, their activity is related to Formula 1. If their next activity is not related to this aspect, they may leave. This will have a very significant impact.

« And at a time when we need to succeed in marking a new stage in this story, it is a very bad signal that the decision is one of a break rather than one of taking into account the challenges to come by keeping industrial know-how in our country. »

The content also concerns the transformation plan proposed by the group. It is currently being assessed. We will have a report on an assessment on September 26, so at that time, we will be able to have more elements. However, there are concerns about the volume of activities. It may not necessarily correspond to the retention of the 334 employees. There are strong, very clear implications.

I also know that there were opening activities with a program aimed at young people to introduce them to careers related to F1. There was all this aspect that opened up to the life of the municipality and the department. And everything is jeopardized because of this decision.

Can we also talk about a loss for French heritage?

Of course, in my opinion, yes. If we know the history of Renault in our country, and in Formula 1, it is certain that this is a break in the continuity of this history. And at a time when we need to succeed in marking a new stage in this history, it is a very bad signal that the decision is one of a break rather than one of taking into account the challenges to come, while keeping the industrial know-how in our territory.

When the political climate is a little calmer and we finally have a government in place, will you mobilize all political forces and ministers on this issue?

I had already called on the Minister of Industry and Economy this summer. But as soon as there is a new government, things will be clearer. But the instability is not likely to diminish. The next government is not likely to last very long. That's the difficulty.

« Here, we see that this political crisis prevents us from having visibility on the medium/long-term strategy from an industrial perspective, on the transformation of the automotive sector. In the end, it is the manufacturers who have free rein to implement social plans, which are sometimes linked to a prioritization of short-term profitability rather than a real long-term strategic vision with a true industrial vision. »

« We hope for a happy resolution for the Viry site.

Other local elected officials, the mayor of Viry-Châtillon, and the president of the Department of Essonne are present to show their support. Although the three of you have different political affiliations, are you working hand in hand on this issue?

We are present together at gatherings. This was the case on August 30 and most recently, on September 12, in Boulogne-Billancourt. There are points on which we can agree. That is to say, we want the Viry site to maintain this competence in F1.

To read also: Mecachrome produit, Alpine développe: Comment les moteurs de F1 d'Alpine sont fabriqués

Afterwards, it's normal, we will have differences in arguments and vision on the role of the State. On our side, we can no longer have an economy where the market acts alone. The State must regain a strategic position. The aids and subsidies granted must be subject to very strict conditions, whether they are environmental or social.

But this does not prevent us from being present, together, on the issue.

Have you been able to talk to the group's leaders?

I had a meeting on Tuesday with the head of public affairs. He had contacted me as early as this summer. And at a time when the Renault management had no dialogue with the employees, who were only asking for that, it is true that I waited for this meeting with Luca de Meo before having a meeting myself. This is the only exchange I have had with management at this point.

I believe that the mayor of Viry has requested a direct meeting with the general manager.

Friday could be a decisive day for the future of the site. Will you watch closely the discussions between the employees and Luca de Meo (CEO of Renault)?

Yes, so due to my very busy schedule, I won't be on site in Viry. But we will closely follow, with all the political actors, the report given by the employees on these discussions. It will then be up to the employees and the trade unions to decide on the mobilization strategy, the actions, and the next steps to take. We will especially align ourselves with the conclusions of the discussions.

Jean-Marie Vilain, Mayor of Viry-Châtillon, Union of Democrats and Independents (UDI). François Durovray, President of the Department of Essonne, Nous France (NF). Claire Lejeune, Deputy of the seventh constituency of Essonne, LFI.