Toyota, Japan, January 10, 2024 – SkyDrive Inc., a pioneering Japanese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft manufacturer, has recently announced a significant advancement in air mobility. The company, which is at the forefront of developing innovative eVTOL aircraft, has received a substantial financial boost in its Series C funding round from Suzuki Motor Corporation. This strategic collaboration marks a new era in the development and manufacturing of eVTOL aircraft, propelling SkyDrive closer to realizing its vision of revolutionizing transportation.
eVTOL aircraft, characterized by their electric propulsion, fully autonomous capabilities, and vertical takeoff and landing features, represent a leap forward in the field of air mobility. This technology promises a sustainable, efficient, and cutting-edge approach to transportation.
In a remarkable showcase of this partnership, SkyDrive and Suzuki are participating in the Global Trade Show at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, held from January 9th to 13th in Gujarat, India. This event, known for highlighting “Cutting-Edge Technology,” is among the world’s largest exhibitions. SkyDrive’s presence is highlighted by its 1/5 scale model of the SKYDRIVE (SD-05), displayed at the Maruti-Suzuki India Limited booth, under the auspices of Suzuki.
This alliance with Suzuki not only bolsters SkyDrive’s technological and manufacturing capabilities but also opens avenues for exploring and strengthening the business development of eVTOL in the Indian market. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, with its focus on innovation and global trade, serves as the ideal platform for this unveiling.
Established in July 2018, SkyDrive has been instrumental in testing and developing flying car concepts since 2014. The company’s mission is to lead a once-in-a-century mobility revolution, envisioning a future where eVTOLs are an accessible mode of daily transportation worldwide. SkyDrive achieved a milestone with the first crewed eVTOL flight test in Japan in 2019. The company’s flagship eVTOL, “SkyDrive,” is currently undergoing certification processes with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). Selected for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, SkyDrive is poised to start production of “SkyDrive” in Spring 2024 at a Suzuki Motor Company facility. Headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, SkyDrive is led by CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa.
