First Hydrogen Appoints Gill as CEO of Automotive Division

Rhea-AI Summary

First Hydrogen Corp. has appointed Steve Gill as the new CEO of its automotive division as of January 17, 2022. Gill, with extensive experience in powertrain technology and decarbonization, previously served as Director at Ford of Europe. He will lead the development of the company's hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles and oversee the construction of hydrogen refueling stations.

First Hydrogen aims to revolutionize zero-emission vehicles and is focused on developing LCVs with a range of over 500 kilometers in collaboration with AVL Powertrain and Ballard Power Systems.

Positive

• Appointment of Steve Gill is expected to bring valuable experience from his time at Ford.
• Gill will oversee the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and refueling stations, indicating potential growth in innovative technologies.

Negative

• Concerns over continuity and the experience gap are noted, considering Gill's transition from a consultant role.

FIRST HYDROGEN APPOINTS GILL AS CEO OF AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 17, 2022 / First Hydrogen Corp. ("FIRST HYDROGEN" or the "Company") (TSXV:FHYD) OTC PINK:FHYDF)(FSE:FIT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Gill as director of First Hydrogen UK Limited and as Chief Executive Officer of its' automotive division. Mr. Gill has extensive experience as an executive, board director and consultant in the automotive industry specializing in powertrain technology and transport decarbonization. Previously, Mr. Gill was Director, Power Engineering at Ford of Europe and board member of Ford Technologies Ltd. Steve Gill will be overseeing the development of the Company's hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light and medium commercial vehicle business ("LCV") and is currently developing and constructing the Company's two MAN hydrogen fuel cell road legal demonstrators with AVL Powertrain UK and Ballard Power Systems. Mr. Gill will manage the development and build out of the recently announced hydrogen refueling stations division, with consultants FEV Group.

Mr. Gill spent 19 years with Ford Motor Company, leading strategic programs delivering innovative technology into volume production for Ford and its partners, including Jaguar Land-Rover and the PSA Groupe (Peugeot/Citroen). At Ford, Mr. Gill was responsible for powertrain product for Ford Europe (conventional and electrified powertrains) and led a team of 2,000 engineers throughout the UK, Germany and Turkey. Technologies developed included Ford's first Series Hybrid Powertrain for commercial vehicles, Ford's first mild hybrid technology for passenger cars and commercial vehicles and the multi-award winning 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

Since 2019, Mr. Gill has worked as an automotive consultant with leading businesses including a Consultant Director to AVL Powertrain, the world's largest independent powertrain engineering consultancy, the UK Automotive Council and Britishvolt.

About First Hydrogen Corp.
First Hydrogen Corp. is a Vancouver and London UK based company focused on zero-emission vehicles and supercritical carbon dioxide extractor systems. The company is designing and developing a hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light commercial demonstrator vehicle under two agreements with AVL Powertrain and Ballard Power Systems Inc. The LCV will have a range of 500+ kilometres. First Hydrogen is developing refueling capability working with FEV Consulting GmbH, the internal automotive consultancy of FEV Group of Aachen Germany.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

FIRST HYDROGEN CORP.

"Balraj Mann"

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Contacts:

North America
Balraj Mann
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
604-601-2018
investors@firsthydrogen.com

Europe
Nicholas Wrigley, Chairman
First Hydrogen Automotive
+44 7917-114434
Nicholas.Wrigley@firsthydrogen.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains information or statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward looking information may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, milestones, strategies and outlook of First Hydrogen, and includes statements about, among other things, future developments and the future operations, strengths and strategies of First Hydrogen. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results.

The forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on management's assumptions and analysis and other factors that may be drawn upon by management to form conclusions and make forecasts or projections, including management's experience and assessments of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Although management believes that these assumptions, analyses and assessments are reasonable at the time the statements contained in this news release are made, actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Examples of risks and factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements may include: the timing and unpredictability of regulatory actions; regulatory, legislative, legal or other developments with respect to its operations or business; limited marketing and sales capabilities; early stage of the industry and product development; limited products; reliance on third parties; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; general economic conditions and financial markets; the impact of increasing competition; the loss of key management personnel; capital requirements and liquidity; access to capital; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the impact of COVID-19; shifts in the demand for First Hydrogen's products and the size of the market; patent law reform; patent litigation and intellectual property; conflicts of interest; and general market and economic conditions.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of First Hydrogen as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. First Hydrogen undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

SOURCE: First Hydrogen Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/683692/First-Hydrogen-Appoints-Gill-as-CEO-of-Automotive-Division

FAQ

What impact will Steve Gill's appointment as CEO of the automotive division have on First Hydrogen (FHYDF)?

Steve Gill's appointment is anticipated to enhance First Hydrogen's capabilities in the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, leveraging his extensive experience in the automotive sector.

What will Steve Gill focus on as CEO of First Hydrogen's automotive division?

Gill will focus on developing hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light and medium commercial vehicles, as well as managing the construction of hydrogen refueling stations.

When was Steve Gill appointed as CEO of First Hydrogen's automotive division?

Steve Gill was appointed as CEO on January 17, 2022.

What experience does Steve Gill have in the automotive industry?

Gill has over 19 years of experience at Ford Motor Company, where he led strategic programs in powertrain technology and has worked with several leading automotive firms as a consultant.