Bolloré Bluebus electric bus production shutdown

The Bolloré Group has announced the permanent cessation of electric bus production at its Bluebus site in Ergué-Gabéric, France. The decision is attributed to intense competition, significant price pressure, and a French market that has proven less dynamic than expected. The company noted it lacks the scale required to compete effectively with other industry players.

Reports indicate that the shutdown follows setbacks involving fire incidents in Bluebus vehicles. Investigations linked these fires to short circuits caused by improperly installed insulation in batteries developed by sister company Blue Solutions. These incidents impacted the brand's reputation, leading clients such as Paris-based RATP to temporarily withdraw hundreds of units from service.

The restructuring involves job protection plans affecting 74 positions at Bluebus and 41 at Blue Solutions. While production is ending, Bolloré is exploring a potential asset takeover with a European industrial company to focus on research and development. A reduced organization may be maintained to provide after-sales service for the approximately 700 Bluebus vehicles currently operating across France and Europe.