in France it has remained roughly stable

In the car as in other sectors, the Sarkozy Government rehabilitates the State. It has an important role to play in helping the industry through the crisis and to become more competitive, says the "Echos" Luc Chatel, the spokesman for the Government. It is primarily because the State is the first shareholder of Renault it has obtained guarantees on the sustainability of the Sandouville sites and of Flins, he explains including.

The world opens in an atmosphere of crisis. What is the diagnosis of the State

The car is a good illustration of the challenges of globalization. When we see the figures of the French production, may be concerned: 3.2 million vehicles in 2004, it is passed to 2.5 million last year and the decline continues. But we must see things in a comprehensive manner: our builders accompany the global movement and will seek growth where it is, in emerging countries. This is that they build factories. To make small or model means that make their force, they will more and more in Central Europe or Eastern. Indeed, the phenomenon is not new: in thirty years, the world production has doubled. in France, it has remained roughly stable. Europe is a market of renewal and growth reservoir lies clearly elsewhere. From the French, the Russians have 4 times less cars. The Chinese 20 times less. And the Indians 40 times less... These are opportunities for French manufacturers. And when Peugeot sells cars in China, it translates as jobs at Sochaux!

The degradation of the environment increases the pressure...

The situation is complicated actually having regard to the situation. Industrial face at the same time the increase of raw materials, weaker demand and increasingly fierce competition. In the 1980s, the R5 and the 205 were in competition with 5 or 6 models. At present, the Clio and the 308 must count with 20 or 30 competitors! This takes the price down.

Can the State do something

Of course, the State has its role to play in a sector which employs 700,000 people in France. It can help to be more competitive. Through the poles of competitiveness or the training aid, of course. But, when forward on the flexibility of work, overtime hours, when it relaxes the 35-hour, it also directly improves the competitiveness of the automotive industry. This is the first sector to take advantage of overtime. Business tax reform must go in the same direction. It now represents a cost of 150 euros per vehicle.

The car is also the first sector, with aeronautics, to benefit from the tax credit research and well we intend to help this industry to innovate. It is to retain employment in France. In Valeo, for example, 45 research is located in France, while the French market weighs only 18 of turnover.

The State is also shareholder of Renault...

Yes, and this is important. If the State did not hold 15 of Renault, he would probably not obtained guarantees that Carlos Ghosn was Tuesday to Nicolas Sarkozy on the sustainability of the Sandouville and Flins, sites with the promise that new models will be manufactured. These guarantees, the President of the Republic obtained them inter alia because the State is the first shareholder of Renault.

Therefore no question of these 15

Clearly, this is not news. The State has also also played a role of accompaniment at Heuliez. This summer, the Caisse des Dépôts granted a loan of EUR 5 million to this mechanic, alongside the Indian buyer which has 10 million euros and must inject 15 million extra in a second time. It was that or closure.

And what of the State as a buyer

Here also, it has an important role. It must lead by example. From January 1, the State cannot also buy models that emit less than 130 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, which is the cleaner, those who benefit from the bonus. This is the commitment announced by Jean-Louis Borloo Wednesday to the Council of Ministers.