Valeo to build rare-earth-free electric drone motors at its Sainte-Florine site from early 2027
Valeo will launch a production line for sovereign electric drone motors at its Sainte-Florine plant in France, backed financially by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, with production starting in early 2027.
- July 2026
- Early 2027
- €1.2 billion
What Happened
During a visit to Valeo's site in Sainte-Florine, Laurent Wauquiez, Member of Parliament 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. The line will be supported financially by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. Valeo says it has developed a range of sovereign electric motors for drones aimed at civil or defense applications.
Valeo says it adapts automotive technological building blocks to develop these electric motors without critical rare earths. By eliminating reliance on scarce heavy rare earths, the company says its technologies reduce supply-chain dependency. The motors will be produced in France at the Sainte-Florine site, which Valeo says has all the key skills needed for producing drone components.
- Assembly
- Plastic injection
- Electronic circuit board manufacturing
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region commits a €1.2 billion plan in favor of reindustrialization, focused on the digital and energy transitions, skills and industrial land
Valeo announces a first contract for its drone motors
Valeo and the region announce the launch of the sovereign electric drone motor production line at Sainte-Florine
Production of the first electric drone motor without critical rare earths is to begin
“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.”
“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.”
Why this matters
Valeo is adapting its automotive electrification know-how to make drone motors that avoid scarce heavy rare earths, which the company says reduces supply-chain dependency. The project is presented as a sovereignty and jobs story for France and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, which is providing financial support.
Terms in This Story
- Heavy rare earths
- A group of scarce metallic elements used in some electric motors and magnets, whose supply is concentrated among few producing countries.
- Sovereign (industrial sense)
- Describing production or technology kept under domestic control rather than depending on foreign suppliers.
- Reindustrialization
- Policy efforts to rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity, often through public investment and support for local industry.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.