There
is a percentage in it for him: I'm sure he
would like to own a French tire factory IF they actually had competitive productivity. With a verbal kick in the pants, perhaps the situation will change and he'll get a viable opportunity there. That aside, he's giving someone fair warning they're engaging in self-destructive behavior - a kind act.
And no, it's not like telling a random fat person he's fat. He was approached with a request that he purchase the company. It's more like an obese slob applying for a serving-staff position at Hooters or Tilted Kilt.