VALEO GROUP
24 September 2026
2 min
Valeo Group
Valeo adapts automotive technological building blocks to develop electric motors without critical rare earths
The drone motor will be produced in France at the Valeo site in Sainte Florine and will benefit from a financial support from the Region
September 24, 2026 – Sainte-Florine, France – During a visit to the Valeo site in Sainte-Florine, Laurent Wauquiez, Member of Parliament (Député) for Haute-Loire and Special Councillor of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, and Christophe Périllat, CEO of Valeo, announced the launch of a production line for sovereign electric drone motors in France, with financial support from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region.
Building on its expertise in electrification, Valeo has developed a range of sovereign electric motors for drones, for civil or defense applications. By eliminating reliance on scarce heavy rare earths, Valeo’s technologies reduce supply-chain dependency.
The Valeo site in Sainte-Florine has all the key skills required for producing drone components (assembly, plastic injection, electronic circuit board manufacturing, etc.). Following the announcement of a first contract in July 2026, production will begin in early 2027.
Christophe Périllat, CEO of Valeo, said: “In line with our ‘Beyond Auto’ strategy, we are combining Valeo’s technological expertise from the automotive industry and our industrial footprint in France to offer a first range of sovereign electric motors. We thank the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region for its support in establishing the new production line at our Sainte-Florine site. The production of the first electric drone motor without critical rare earths will begin in early 2027.”
Laurent Wauquiez, Member of Parliament for Haute-Loire and Special Councillor for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, declared: “Industrial sovereignty is built through actions. With Valeo, we are choosing to produce in France, innovate in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and master our strategic technologies. Electric drone motors without critical rare earths will be developed and produced here, in Sainte-Florine, thereby strengthening our industrial autonomy. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region is proud to support this project and the jobs of tomorrow. Producing here strengthens our sovereignty.”
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: https://www.valeo.com/en/press-releases/
Media Contacts
Dora Khosrof | +33 7 61 52 82 75
Florentina Deca | +33 6 32 13 69 15
Caroline De Gezelle | + 33 7 62 44 17 85
Clémence Le-Roux | + 33 6 12 18 26 00
press-contact.mailbox@valeo.com
Investor Relations
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About the Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
As the leading industrial region in France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes relies on a diversified economic fabric, ranging from SMEs and mid-caps to major international groups. Since 2016, the Region has pursued a proactive policy to support investment, innovation, industrial reshoring, and local employment. In 2021, it committed a 1.2 billion euro plan in favor of reindustrialization, particularly around the digital and energy transitions, skills, and industrial land.
A long-standing partner of regional industry, the Region supports the enhancement of know-how, innovation, and business creation across its territories.
Media Contact
Service presse Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
04 26 73 48 20
presse@auvergnerhonealpes.fr
