Japanese electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer SkyDrive has officially initiated the production of its SKYDRIVE (SD-05) aircraft at the manufacturing plant of Suzuki Motor Corporation in Iwata-city, Shizuoka, Japan. This development marks a significant stride in SkyDrive’s mission to revolutionize urban air mobility.
Dedicated to providing safer, more affordable, quieter, and emission-free aerial mobility solutions, the company has taken pivotal steps towards achieving this objective. The establishment of Sky Works Inc., its manufacturing arm, and the strategic partnership with Suzuki underscore the company’s commitment to innovation. With the capability to manufacture up to 100 eVTOLs annually, SkyDrive is well-positioned to address the increasing demand for urban air mobility solutions.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, expressed, “Partnering with Suzuki, a renowned automotive manufacturer, is a momentous occasion for SkyDrive. It is the beginning of a new phase. We share a goal of quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, making them an ideal partner in our quest to revolutionize urban air mobility.”
In line with its commitment to showcasing the potential of eVTOL technology, the company plans to operate its eVTOL aircraft at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Established in September 2023 as a subsidiary of SkyDrive for eVTOL aircraft production, Sky Works Inc. operates from Suzuki’s manufacturing plant in Iwata-city, Shizuoka, with a production capacity of up to 100 eVTOLs per year. Nobuo Kishi serves as the President of the company.