Each morning, Axel de Tarlé decrypts one of the most important economic news of the day.
The Smart will no longer be manufactured in France, but in China.
A blow to the Moselle and the city of Ambach where is manufactured the small two-seater cars.
From 2024, the Smart will be made in China. The French factory will not close, it must accommodate the next electric SUV Daimler.
READ ALSO - Smart will stop production in Hambach, Moselle, between 2022 and 2024
The Smart belongs today to the German Daimler (Mercedes) but it has never been profitable.
Daimler is therefore disengaged for the benefit of the Chinese who, conversely, have great ambitions for this small two-seater car that will be 100% electric. It should be perfect for driving in the big congested and polluted cities of China. The future Smart Electric will be manufactured in Hengzou, in the factories of the Chinese manufacturer Geely.
The smart will therefore become Chinese.
Should we be worried about the hand-put of the Chinese on the automotive sector?
Clearly, the Chinese invite themselves to Smart. They are also the first shareholders of Daimler (Mercedes), own 100% of Volvo are the first shareholders of Peugeot Citroen.
More serious, than this capitalistic hand-setting, it is necessary to fear the industrial hand-putting. It must be remembered that almost all batteries are manufactured in Asia, especially in China.
If the Smart part in China is also because the batteries are manufactured in China, it is better to assemble the future Smart electric directly in China rather than Europe.
With the advent of the electric car, should we fear other relocations?
This is exactly the warning of the boss of Peugeot-Citroën, there are three weeks in Le Figaro.
Europe has imposed itself an electric shift, the most ambitious in the world. "Very good but, he warns, it will not be without consequences on factories and the 13 million employees of the automotive sector".
Nicolas Barré spoke about it last week, there are already 20,000 job cuts that have been announced in the automotive industry in Europe in a wider movement.
READ ALSO - European car industry: Is job destruction the price to pay for the energy transition?
The little smart that goes to China could unfortunately be just a sign before runner.
After textiles, home appliances and electronics, do not we urgently need to worry that the car could also go to China now?
Read the article Echoes - Smart abandons the Moselle for China
Read the article Echoes - Automotive: Geely is preparing to acquire half of Smart
Read the article Echoes - France-Smart announces the end of its production in France