PARIS, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Renault Group

supports demands by several automotive suppliers to introduce

EU-wide rules on local sourcing to protect them from Chinese

competition, the French automaker's CEO told Reuters.

But its support depends on a broadening of the definition of

so-called Local Content Requirements, he added.

Several suppliers have called for 80% mandatory local

content in cars sold in the EU, in line with similar legislation

in place in the United States, as part of the strategic dialogue

started at the beginning of the year between the European Union

and the automotive sector.

But Renault Chief Executive Francois Provost said it is

unlikely that regulations that tight would be adopted by

December 10, the date on which the European Commission is

expected to unveil a list of measures to support the bloc's

automotive industry.

SCHEME MUST NOT BE OVER-COMPLICATED

"We have to be realistic: complicated local content schemes

per model, with mandatory parts, will never work," Provost said.

"The only system that can work is local content averaged across

a manufacturer's sales. This would allow us to achieve our

desired objective, which is to support the European sector and,

above all, our suppliers."

This broader definition, with an average obligation that

could reach, for example, 60%, would help convince other sector

players - such as German carmakers - who are reluctant to accept

the rule fearing it will make it harder to choose suppliers and

hinder competitiveness.

"Any other solution would end up not working and not being

implemented ... if that is what we want!" Provost said.

THE THREAT OF DISPLACEMENT

The European automotive suppliers' association Clepa warned

again on Monday that manufacturing in the EU is threatened by

displacement and that no less than 350,000 jobs could be at risk

by 2030.

The CEO of parts supplier Valeo, Christophe Perillat, said

at the firm's investor day on Thursday that without local

content requirements, site closures in Europe would be

inevitable in the long term.

"If they do not decide for a European content per car

minimum, then there will be significant, massive, delocalization

of the automotive industry from Europe to the rest of the world,

let's say from Valeo Europe to Valeo China for instance,"

Perillat said.

Provost, who succeeded Luca de Meo last summer when he left

to head the luxury group Kering, met European Union

representatives in Brussels last Tuesday.

"The positive point is that I feel they understand the sense

of urgency, the need to move forward, however I really get the

impression that important points are still under discussion," he

said.