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Times
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Times
Renault shares crash as Vauxhall owner scraps hydrogen vehicles
The owner of Vauxhall Motors has scrapped plans to develop its hydrogen fuel cell technology programme and will no longer launch a range of hydrogen-powered vehicles this year. Stellantis, which also owns Peugeot, Citroën and Alfa Romeo, said that the limited availability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and lack of strong consumer purchasing incentives meant that the vehicles remained unavailable. Jean-Philippe Imparato, chief operating officer for the enlarged Europe region of Stellantis, said: 'The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of midterm economic sustainability. • Drivers to be given up to £3,750 to switch to electric cars 'We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive.' The decision marks a significant turnaround for Stellantis which in 2022 announced what is said would have the first manufacturing plant in the world to produce hydrogen-powered electric vehicles. At the time it said that by 2024 it expected it would have a production capacity of 5,000 vehicles per year. The company added that its decision to discontinue its hydrogen-powered vehicles would not impact staffing levels, with research and development redirected to other projects. Stellantis's announcement comes as Renault shares fell sharply after it lowered its guidance for the year following weaker than expected sales in June. The French car manufacturer said that it was now targeting an operating margin of about 6.5 per cent for 2025, down from a minimum of 7 per cent and a free cashflow of between €1 billion and €1.5 billion for the year, down from at least €2 billion. The poor sales in June were in part due to the continuing decline in the retail market. The company also saw its light commercial vehicle business underperform, which Renault said was operating in a 'sharply declining market' in Europe. Free cashflow for the first half of the year stood at just €47 million, impacted by a negative working capital requirement of €900 million, thanks to a combination of delayed billings and the wider decline in the European market. Sales rose by 2.5 per cent to €27.6 billion in the first half of the year, while the company's operating margin stood at 6 per cent of group revenue. • France's love affair with the Renault — from horseless cart to va va voom In response to the poor results, Renault said it would be strengthening its short-term cost-reduction plan, which would be focused on reducing administrative and sales costs and finding savings in manufacturing and research and development. Shares in the company fell by 7¼ cents, or 17.47 per cent, to €34.01 on Wednesday. Analysts at Berenberg said that the new guidance would imply a cut to operating profits of between 8 per cent and 10 per cent for 2025, adding that sales volume in key retail markets, notably France, appeared to be surprisingly weak in June. However, they noted that Renault remained insulated from most of the near-term industry concerns, such as tariffs, capacity-related pressure and China. At the same time it should benefit from improving trends in the commercial vehicle market, the analysts said, and a positive contribution from its new hybrid engine joint venture with Geely, the Chinese automotive manufacturer. Deutsche Bank also noted that despite reducing its margin guidance, it was still competitive in contrast to its peers. Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), the Chinese car manufacturer, has partnered with Jameel Motors, an automotive distributor, to sell its electric vehicles in the UK. The company's entrance into the UK market is the fourth such venture from a Chinese automaker this month. GAC plans to initially sell its Aion UT hatchback and Aion V SUV electric vehicles in the UK, with deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2026. It has already announced plans to sell vehicles in Portugal and Poland, and launched in Brazil in May. BYD, Geely and a number of other Chinese EV manufacturers already have a presence in the UK. Others, such as Changan Automobile, have also announced plans to expand into Britain.
Auto Express
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Stellantis says no to hydrogen hype: stops fuel cell van plan only months from production
Stellantis has announced that it's cancelling its hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicle project only months before an intended roll-out in Europe. Citing limitations of current hydrogen infrastructure and the need for stronger purchase incentives, the group apparently sees the venture as a step too far under current financial pressures. In a statement made by Jean-Philippe Imparato, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer for Enlarged Europe, he said 'the hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability. We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive.' The Hydrogen Pro One series of commercial vehicles was destined to go into production later this year in both France and Poland, but the decision to cancel the project has not affected staffing at either of the plants involved, nor R&D staff and facilities associated with the program. These resources will instead be re-routed to other projects. Advertisement - Article continues below While this might sound like a backwards step, the fact is that liquid hydrogen infrastructure just isn't quite ready for the cars and vans that companies like Stellantis are developing. Challenges still remain in terms of producing enough liquid hydrogen of the right type to effectively reduce C02, not to mention investment in the means to deliver it. Instead, Stellantis will intensify its focus on the development of its already widespread electric van ranges. The group has EV vans on offer across all major van classes and all its brands, including Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat. However, hydrogen fuel cell technology isn't quite a lost cause, with Stellantis keeping the door open by suggesting that while no fuel-cell van will be available before the end of this decade, there's nothing to suggest one won't be available beyond that point. This ties in with other manufacturers that have continued development of hydrogen technology in anticipation of a breakthrough which could see it more easily integrated into the current infrastructure. BMW and Toyota have committed to a technical partnership that will see the first mass-produced hydrogen fuel-cell BMW arrive in the next 24 months, while Hyundai has just revealed its latest third-generation hydrogen system in the new Nexo SUV. Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...
Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Vauxhall owner abandons hydrogen vehicle plans
The owner of Vauxhall has scrapped plans for hydrogen-powered vehicles after concluding there was 'no prospect' of making the technology profitable this decade. Stellantis, which also owns Fiat and Chrysler, said it was discontinuing a programme to develop hydrogen fuel cell vans because the market remained too 'niche'. It will instead focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids to meet tough net zero targets imposed across Europe. The company also blamed a lack of refuelling infrastructure, weak consumer demand and the large investments needed. Stellantis had announced plans to launch a new range of hydrogen-powered vans this year via its Pro One division, with the vehicles set to be built in France and Poland. But it has now scrapped this entirely and is reviewing its position in Symbio, a hydrogen fuel cell company in which it owns a 33pc stake. Jean-Philippe Imparato, European operating chief of Stellantis, said: 'In a context where the company is mobilising to respond to demanding CO2 regulations in Europe, Stellantis has decided to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development programme. 'The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability. 'We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive.' Serial production of Stellantis's Pro One range was scheduled to start in the summer in Hordain in France, and Gliwice in Poland. Stellantis said earlier this month that it may be forced to shutter vehicle plants owing to the risk of hefty EU fines for not complying with CO2 emission targets. Stellantis said research spending on hydrogen-related projects would now be 'redirected' to other efforts. The company is the latest to back away from hydrogen, which energy experts have warned would be expensive to produce en masse for fuelling transport or heating buildings. This is because most hydrogen producers will make the gas via either electrolysis – where electrically powered plants separate the hydrogen and oxygen molecules that water is made of – or by converting natural gas, a process that generates carbon dioxide. Burning hydrogen releases less energy than burning gas. Another source of hydrogen in future may be 'white' hydrogen that occurs naturally in the Earth's crust, deep underground. But for the moment, most experts argue hydrogen should be directed towards heavy industries that would be difficult to decarbonise by other means because of the inefficient ways by which it is produced.
Top Gear
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Stellantis has binned its hydrogen development to focus on hybrids and EVs
Stellantis has binned its hydrogen development to focus on hybrids and EVs Hydrogen-powered vans are scrapped just as production was set to start. Stellantis says 'no development prospect' for alternative fuel Skip 4 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 4 Stellantis has pulled the plug on its hydrogen fuel cell development programme, saying it 'does not anticipate the adoption of hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles before the end of the decade'. Yep, Stellantis was hoping to lead the hydrogen revolution with vans, with medium-sized production previously set to kick off this summer in Hordain, France, while large hydrogen vans would be built in Gliwice, Poland. The carmaking MegaCorp said it'll no longer launch the vans with these powertrains, but it also made clear this 'will not impact staffing at Stellantis' production sites'. R&D spend that previously went on hydrogen tech will now 'be redirected to other projects'. Advertisement - Page continues below 'In a context where the Company is mobilising to respond to demanding CO2 regulations in Europe, Stellantis has decided to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program,' said COO for Europe Jean-Philippe Imparato. READ MORE What is a hydrogen fuel cell car and how does it work? 'The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability. We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive.' Stellantis, which makes commercial vehicles under the Citroen, FIAT Professional, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall brands, also called out the lack of refuelling infrastructure in place for hydrogen vehicles, and the need for stronger purchasing incentives to bring prices down. Advertisement - Page continues below Back in December last year, UK pricing was revealed for the large Vauxhall Movano in its now-canned hydrogen form (pictured above). There's no easy way to say this, but it was to start at just over £70,000 and promised a range of 311 miles, with a refuelling time of just five minutes. Reckon hydrogen propulsion still has a future? Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
France 24
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- France 24
Stellantis pulls plug on hydrogen fuel cell vans
The company, whose stable of brands also includes Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, had planned to begin serial production of commercial vans equipped with hydrogen fuel cells this summer at sites in northern France and southern Poland. "The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability," said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Stellantis's chief operating officer for the European region. The company cited limited availability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, high capital requirements, and the need for stronger consumer purchasing incentives. "We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive," Imparato added. Hydrogen fuel cell technology was seen as a possible rival to battery electric vehicles to reach zero emissions. When hydrogen and air are fed into a cell it creates electricity and water. The technology could offer faster refill times than recharging electric batteries, but also involves creating expensive new infrastructure and most hydrogen is currently produced from natural gas without capturing the greenhouse gas emissions. Only Toyota, Hyundai and BMW are still developing fuel cell vehicles and few models are on the roads. France's Renault shut its hydrogen fuel cell factory at the start of the year. Stellantis said staff at the factories would be reassigned to other tasks, but acknowledged the move would create "financial challenges" for fuel cell supplier Symbio. Stellantis took a stake in Symbio in 2023 alongside tyre manufacturer Michelin and auto parts supplier Forvia. Symbio opened a fuel cell factory near the French city of Lyon in 2023. Stellantis said it had launched discussions with the other shareholders in Symbio, but Michelin called the announcement "unexpected, brutal and uncoordinated". Forvia noted that Stellantis accounts for nearly 80 percent of Symbio's activity. © 2025 AFP
