TAIPEI (Reuters) – ProLogium is working with the French government to secure the necessary subsidies to build its battery factory in northern France, the group’s CEO said on Friday.
Vincent Yang told reporters that talks had entered their final stages and he expected a joint announcement to be made by the end of the year.
Neither Vincent Yang nor the director of the French office in Taipei, Jean-Francois Casabonne-Masonnave, wished to comment on the amount of the subsidies, which is under negotiation.
Emmanuel Macron announced last month that ProLogium would build its first factory outside Taiwan in France, a project that represents a total investment of 5.2 billion euros.
“The efficiency of the French government is quite impressive,” said Vincent Yang.
The ProLogium site will be the fourth giga-factory located in the north of France. It should start production in late 2026-early 2027, depending on how the consultation process unfolds, and ultimately create 3,000 direct jobs and 9,000 indirect jobs.
Vincent Yang said the project would also be financed from the company’s own funds and through loans and investments from automakers.
“Mercedes has already invested and other automakers have shown interest,” said Vincent Yang.
Giga-factories are indeed vital for car manufacturers if they want to compensate for the significant job losses expected in mechanical factories with the end of gasoline and diesel engines.
(Report Faith Hung; Camille Raynaud)
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