Japanese eVTOL developer harnesses Suzuki production facility

SkyDrive will establish a wholly owned subsidiary which will use a production facility owned by the Suzuki Group in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and aims to start building the Skydrive eVTOL by spring 2024.

SkyDrive Inc., the eVTOL aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, has signed an agreement with Suzuki Motor Corporation for cooperation in manufacturing the Skydrive eVTOL aircraft.

SkyDrive will establish a wholly owned subsidiary which will use a production facility owned by the Suzuki Group in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and aims to start building the Skydrive eVTOL by spring 2024. Suzuki will also cooperate with the manufacturing subsidiary in securing human resources and making other preparations for the start of manufacturing. More specific terms and conditions will be agreed upon through ongoing discussions.

The Skydrive is a three-seat, electric-powered lightweight aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.

Toshihiro Suzuki, Suzuki Motor Corporation President says: "We are excited to cooperate with SkyDrive as we ambitiously work towards creating valuable products that contribute to the realization of a world where people use the sky for their daily transportation."

Tomohiro Fukuzawa, SkyDrive Inc. CEO adds: "At Suzuki, all manufacturing activities are based on a concept, 'Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, and Neater,' and SkyDrive is developing lightweight air mobilities. Suzuki and SkyDrive have been collaborating since March 2022 and we are very excited that SkyDrive will utilize the production facility of Suzuki to build our eVTOL. In our pursuit to consistently manufacture safe and high-quality aircraft for the world, we are grateful for the valuable know-how we will learn from Suzuki, a global leader in automobile mass production. Suzuki and SkyDrive will work closely towards the shared goal."