23 March 2022 || 3 min read
SkyDrive Inc. and Suzuki Motor Corporation announced on March 22nd a partnership for the commercialization of “flying cars” according to press releases from both companies.
SkyDrive is a manufacturer of personal aerial vehicles in Japan and is currently engaged in the development of a compact, two-seating electric-powered flying car with plans for full-scale production.
Suzuki is one of Japan’s leading automakers with expertise that includes manufacturing and selling compact cars in international markets.
According to the press releases, SkyDrive and Suzuki discuss and consider collaboration in areas of business and technology that include technology R&D, planning of manufacturing and mass-production systems, development of overseas markets with an initial focus on India, and promotion of efforts to attain carbon neutrality.
SkyDrive aims to begin air taxi service during the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, Japan, as well as to initiate service in other regions of Japan.
Suzuki, whose company motto is to “Develop products of superior value by focusing on the customer,” currently offers products in three mobility categories — automobiles, motorcycles, and outboard motors. The company aims to remain valuable to consumers in the future via expansion toward additional future mobility research and development. The partnership with SkyDrive will provide Suzuki with opportunities to explore and potentially add flying cars as a fourth mobility business.
Why it’s important: The recent announcement from SkyDrive and Suzuki positions both companies for further collaboration as SkyDrive will look to bolster its resource pool for longer term goals (potentially such as larger scale production of their personal aerial vehicles) and may also leverage Suzuki’s resources for design and build of larger aircraft that suit commercialized needs. This partnership reflects a growing number of firms working together to advance aerial mobility developments globally.
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