Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, who was to be the face of Hopium, did not last long in his position as boss.
Former Minister of Transport during Emmanuel Macron’s first five-year term, between 2019 and 2022, Jean-Baptise Djebbari was appointed chairman of the board of directors of Hopium last year. This French company aims to become a world leader in hydrogen cars.
Less than a year in office
The passage of Jean-Baptiste Djebbari at the head of Hopium will not have been the most striking. Less than a year after his appointment as chairman of the company’s board of directors, the former minister announces his departure from what aims to become the “Tesla of hydrogen”.
The one who worked in the governments of Édouard Philippe and Jean Castex indicates having ” new projects being structured “, to which he wishes to ” devote fully “. He adds that he will give more details about his future commitments in the coming weeks.
Hopium has experienced some turbulence in recent months. Indeed, after presenting its very first high-end hydrogen vehicle Machina last October, the French company explained at the beginning of 2023 that it was experiencing financial difficulties which could lead it to lay off workers.
A former Naval Group replacement
So, what mark will Jean-Baptise Djebbari leave within the company? According to the press release of his departure, he would have been above all a good communication asset. ” The board of directors thanked Jean-Baptiste Djebbari for his involvement and his energy which made it possible to increase the national and international visibility of Hopium “, is it thus explained.
Hopium, which now aims to reach profitability within four years, comes under the management of a specialist in the defense industry, Alain Guillou. An engineer by training, he was notably a manager of Naval Group and participated in the development of a propulsion system for submarines using a hydrogen fuel cell. The right person for the right project?
Sources: The Automotive Journal, BFM-TV
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