Suzuki the Japanese Multinational Corporation announced on Tuesday its plans to collaborate with the Japanese start-up SkyDrive in the production of flying cars or electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. With an ambitious goal of becoming a frontrunner in the rapidly expanding industry, Suzuki aims to commence joint manufacturing activities with SkyDrive by the spring of 2024.

The companies have identified a Suzuki Group factory located in central Japan as the production site for these advanced vehicles and plan to commence manufacturing activities by approximately the spring of next year, according to Suzuki’s official statement.

By joining forces with SkyDrive, Suzuki aims to capitalize on the burgeoning market for flying cars, which holds immense potential for the future of transportation. The partnership signifies Suzuki’s determination to seize a leading position in this innovative field.

As part of this collaboration, SkyDrive will establish a subsidiary exclusively dedicated to the production of these eVTOL aircraft. Suzuki, on the other hand, will extend its support by assisting in various aspects of manufacturing preparation, such as talent acquisition. This partnership between the automotive giant and the start-up is expected to leverage the strengths and resources of both companies to develop cutting-edge aerial vehicles.

By utilizing a Suzuki Group factory, the collaboration aims to capitalize on the existing infrastructure and expertise within the organization. The establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary by SkyDrive signifies the start-up’s focused approach to eVTOL aircraft production. With Suzuki’s assistance in talent acquisition, the subsidiary will be well-equipped to attract the skilled professionals necessary for the successful manufacturing and development of these aerial vehicles.

This announcement closely follows SkyDrive’s recent unveiling, at the Paris Airshow, of an updated design for their in-development vehicle, now capable of carrying three individuals instead of two. The redesigned vehicle boasts an approximate length of 13 meters and a height of 3 meters, resulting in an extended maximum flight range of about 15 kilometers, compared to the previous 10 km. 

The collaboration between SkyDrive and Suzuki in the field of flying vehicles was initially announced in March 2022, and while the partnership details have been under discussion, this latest development signifies progress toward their shared goal of advancing aerial transportation technology.

Flying Cars and their future impact:

Flying cars, often referred to as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, are futuristic vehicles capable of both driving on the ground and taking off vertically to fly in the air. They have been a long-standing vision in science fiction and a symbol of technological advancement. However, despite significant progress in recent years, we are still waiting for flying cars to become a common mode of transportation. This delay is primarily due to various challenges, including regulatory hurdles, infrastructure limitations, safety concerns, and the need for advanced technologies to ensure efficient and reliable operations. Nevertheless, ongoing developments and collaborations between the automotive and aerospace industries are bringing us closer to the day when flying cars will transform our skies and revolutionize urban mobility.

According to market projections, the global flying car market is expected to reach a value of $3,804.18 million by 2035, registering a significant compound annual growth rate of 34.1%. Europe is anticipated to be the highest contributor, with an estimated value of $1,618.68 million by 2035. 

Key players operating in this evolving market include AeroMobil, Airbus S.A.S., Hyundai Motor Company, Klein Vision s.r.o., Lilium, PAL-V N.V., Samson Motors, Inc., Terrafugia, The Boeing Company, and Volocopter GmbH. These industry leaders are actively involved in shaping the future of aerial mobility and advancing the development and commercialization of flying cars.

Related:

• Xiaopeng’s Flying Car Prototype Aims for Stability but There is Room for Improvement
• Japan’s First Manned Flying Car Test Flight Shows Promise for the Future
• Chinese Airspace will Soon see Flying Cars: First eVTOL Flight Permit for XPENG X2 Granted

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