Herzogenaurach, Germany  - A French car parts factory is to close with a loss of 195 jobs, the owner, German automotive parts company Schaeffler, said Thursday at its offices in Herzogenaurach.

The site at St. Simeon de Bressieux, near the south-eastern city of Grenoble, makes timing chains for engines.

Schaeffler said the products would be made in future at another company site in Calais, on the north-western coast of France. It said a scheme to lay off the staff with compensation and social benefits had been agreed the same day with labour leaders.

Schaeffler, a ball-bearings group which bought control last year of Germany's Continental tyre group, said the move had been forced on it by the sharp slump in the automotive industry. (dpa)