SkyDrive Reaches Basic Agreement with Suzuki to Build eVTOL Aircraft,
Aiming to Start Operation in Spring 2024 by Utilizing Suzuki Group's Plant
PARIS, FRANCE, June 19, 2023 – SkyDrive Inc. (hereinafter “SkyDrive”), a leading Japanese eVTOL aircraft (*1) manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, announced today at Paris Air Show 2023 that the company had signed a basic agreement with Suzuki Motor Corporation (hereinafter “Suzuki”) for cooperation in manufacturing “SKYDRIVE” eVTOL aircraft (*2).
From left, Hidetoshi Kumashiro (Managing Officer and Executive General Manager, Suzuki) and Tomohiro Fukuzawa (CEO, SkyDrive)
SkyDrive will establish a wholly owned subsidiary (hereinafter “the manufacturing subsidiary”) for the purpose of manufacturing its eVTOL aircraft “SKYDRIVE.” With Suzuki, the manufacturing subsidiary will utilize a production facility owned by the Suzuki Group in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and aims to start building the SkyDrive “SKYDRIVE” eVTOL aircraft by spring of 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” eVTOL aircraft, to be built at Suzuki’s production facility, is a three-seat, electric-powered lightweight aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
“SKYDRIVE” eVTOL Aircraft
Comment by Toshihiro Suzuki, Suzuki Motor Corporation President
“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 transportations.”
Comment by Tomohiro Fukuzawa, SkyDrive Inc. CEO
“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 ‘SKYDRIVE.’ 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.”
SkyDrive, Suzuki Partner to Make eVTOL Aircraft
SkyDrive, a Japanese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer, has signed a basic agreement with Suzuki for cooperation in manufacturing the "SKYDRIVE" eVTOL aircraft. The two companies will establish a manufacturing subsidiary that will utilize a production facility owned by Suzuki in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, with the aim of starting the production of the "SKYDRIVE" eVTOL aircraft by spring 2024. The three-seat, electric-powered lightweight aircraft features vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Suzuki will support the manufacturing subsidiary in securing human resources and making other preparations for the start of manufacturing. The two companies have been collaborating since March 2022 towards the shared goal of creating valuable products that contribute to the realization of a world where people use the sky for their daily transportation.
