French government stepping in to save Alstom train manufacturing plant
by The Associated Press
Alstom informed employees last month it would close its plant in Belfort, which made France's first high-speed TGV train
PHOTO: Alstom
Partially state-owned Alstom recently won a contract to build high-speed trains in the U.S. and builds trams and subway trains around the world. However, it has struggled at home.
The junior minister in charge of industry, Christophe Sirugue, is meeting Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge on Tuesday as well as union activists and local officials in Belfort in eastern France.
Alstom informed employees last month it would close the Belfort plant, which made France’s first high-speed TGV train.
Le Monde newspaper says the government is considering ordering 16 TGVs from the plant. Critics say the trains aren’t needed and the move is politically driven.
