Saint-Fons (France), July 28, 2025 – Two weeks after Stellantis’ sudden and unilateral decision to halt all its hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicle activities, Symbio is facing a major setback. Jean-Baptiste Lucas, newly appointed CEO of Symbio as of July 10, expresses his firm commitment to make every effort to secure the company’s future and to contribute to strengthening a French hydrogen industry that is currently under pressure.
“Everyone must be committed to playing their part, honoring their commitments, and taking responsibility. This sudden strategic reversal on behalf of Stellantis is a shock to our 640 employees. Our teams have shown exceptional dedication in meeting Stellantis’ ambitions. No company had ever deployed such technologies at this scale and with such industrial maturity in such a short time. It is inconceivable that all of this could be wiped out,” emphasized Jean-Baptiste Lucas.
Symbio made every effort to fulfill the strategic programs specifically developed for Stellantis’ light commercial vehicles (LCVs). The Step2 program, based on T5 technology—40 kW fuel cell systems—alone represented a major share of Symbio’s 2025 order book. The ultimate technical and industrial validations of the program were confirmed by Stellantis on April 30, with ramp-up already underway at the SymphonHy gigafactory in Saint-Fons (Lyon metropolitan area): Europe’s largest integrated hydrogen fuel cell production site, and the only one currently IATF 16949-certified—the highest standard in the automotive industry.
Stellantis’ radical decision results in the immediate and permanent termination of their hydrogen programs relating to LCVs, with significant potential impact on employment. Symbio’s top management is actively working on several financial and industrial scenarios to preserve jobs and ensure the company’s viability. Symbio is actively engaged in ongoing discussions with Stellantis to ensure it honors its commitments, upholds its contractual responsibilities, and contributes to securing the company’s future—including through compensation.
Among the immediate options being considered is the acceleration of mass production for the 75 kW fuel cell systems, made possible by reallocating some of the resources previously employed on Stellantis programs.
Symbio regrets the breach of confidentiality on the ongoing conciliation process at the Lyon Commercial Court (Tribunal de commerce), which aims to reach an agreement with shareholders. Stellantis remains a co-shareholder of Symbio alongside Michelin and Forvia, each holding a 33.3% stake.
Despite this setback, Symbio is redefining its roadmap to continue its innovation and diversification strategy, keeping its ambition intact: to build a sovereign French and European hydrogen industry.
Its medium-term goals include launching large-scale production of the StackPack™ 75, a 75-kW fuel cell system adaptable to a wide range of applications—including buses, coaches, and stationary uses in energy-intensive sectors such as data centers. By 2028, Symbio aims to industrialize new generations of 150 kW and 300 kW fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles.