In Étaples, Valeo combines long-standing expertise with new technologies to shape the future of high-voltage electrification ‘Made in France’

Étaples: a showcase for industrial innovation and excellence in high-voltage technology in France

Today marks a historic milestone for the Étaples site: Christophe Périllat, CEO of Valeo, officially opened the new high-voltage production lines alongside Minister Sébastien Martin, the regional Prefect and local elected representatives. This operational launch marks a turning point for the site which, having dominated the 12V and 48V electric motor market with 8.3 million units produced annually, and with a workforce of 1,200, is demonstrating its ability to manufacture the sector’s most advanced technologies.

Thanks to this state-of-the-art industrial facility, Étaples is becoming France’s centre of excellence for the assembly of high-voltage inverters – the ‘brains’ of electric powertrains. The project is backed by a team of 180 R&D experts based directly at the site, ensuring a direct link between innovation and production.

The site has secured its first contracts, with production set to begin in 2026 for electric commercial and passenger vehicles from 2027 onwards. This success is based on national industrial synergy: Étaples assembles the inverters and their switching cells by integrating sub-components from Valeo’s sites in Sainte-Florine and Sablé-sur-Sarthe.

Beyond its industrial infrastructure, Valeo is building its future on the expertise of its employees. The plan to recruit 50 new staff by 2025 will strengthen local expertise, ensuring a successful transition to electrification whilst safeguarding the region’s industrial activity.

Sébastien Martin, Minister of State for Industry, highlighted the strength of Valeo’s regional roots, with its investments in Étaples demonstrating a commitment to accelerating the transition towards carbon-free mobility “Made in France”: “Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, France is embarking, through the PPE and the electrification plan, on the most ambitious energy project in fifty years, with a clear objective: to move away from fossil fuels and massively electrify the economy and our daily lives. It is a major industrial plan. Valeo’s massive investment in the Étaples site is proof that France is at the forefront of tomorrow’s mobility. By transforming a historic site into a centre of excellence for high-voltage technology, Valeo is not only rising to the challenges of decarbonisation, but is also strengthening our technological sovereignty and securing highly skilled jobs across the country. It is this combination of innovation, R&D and industrial strength that the Government supports in order to build a strong and competitive European automotive sector.”

Christophe Périllat, Chief Executive Officer of Valeo, said: “Étaples epitomises the technological expertise and industrial agility that we must preserve in order to shape the future of European industry. Beyond its production capacity, our ambition is to make France the heart of a sovereign innovation ecosystem. By strengthening our synergies with the French microelectronics and artificial intelligence sectors, we are equipping our components – such as the high-voltage inverters produced here – with unrivalled intelligence and efficiency. Faced with intensifying global competition, this alliance between industrial strength and new technologies is the key to ensuring competitive and sustainable European local content.”

Valeo: an industrial and technological driver for electrification in France

This transformation of the Étaples site is part of an electrification strategy launched by Valeo back in 2009. By building on its long-standing expertise in 12V alternators, the Group has established a unique R&D and production ecosystem in France. This industrial base now serves the entire market: from conventional 12V applications, through 48V hybridisation, to high-voltage technologies (400V and 800V).

This technological refocusing is underpinned by a comprehensive development capability centred on three key product families: electric motors, power electronics and thermal management systems. To support its ambition to address the two pillars of future mobility – electrification and autonomous vehicles – Valeo has made substantial investments in France over the period 2014–2024.

Despite a challenging market, this initiative has been actively ongoing since 2024. Following the opening in 2025 of the Valeo Power Tech Center in Créteil-Valenton – a global R&D centre bringing together 400 experts in powertrain and thermal systems – Valeo continues to invest in its production sites. With the roll-out of this “High Voltage 2025” industrial project in Étaples, the Group is confirming its position as a major player in electrification in France, capable of driving innovation from design through to the market launch of sustainable mobility solutions.

About Valeo
Valeo is a leading global technology company creating innovative solutions and systems for automotive and technology partners worldwide. Valeo is structured around its POWER, BRAIN and LIGHT Divisions, and Valeo Service, the augmented service partner, for the aftermarket and new forms of mobility.
Valeo is committed to making mobility safer, more sustainable and affordable to all. The Group is playing a vital role in shaping the Car of Tomorrow: which will be electrified, safer and software-defined. Valeo is leveraging its global industrial footprint and its technological leadership in electrification, advanced driver assistance systems, lighting and software to capture an increasing share of value per vehicle.
Valeo is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.
Valeo in brief: €20.9 billion in sales in 2025 | 100,000 employees worldwide | 29 countries | 149 production plants | 59 R&D centers | 19 distribution platforms (as of February 26, 2026).
Learn more at www.valeo.com
Find all our press releases: www.valeo.com/en/press-releases/

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