11 February 2023 || 4 min read
SkyDrive, a Japanese eVTOL maker backed by Toyota, recently announced that it will be entering into the US Market – specifically in South Carolina. The company has outlined plans to build infrastructure through two key airports in South Carolina, in order to develop an advanced air mobility ecosystem in this area of the United states.
Above: A single-seat prototype by Skydrive, which completed manned demonstration flights early on in the eVTOL industry’s development.
At the 2023 Vertical Flight Society eVTOL symposium in Mesa, Arizona, SkyDrive announced its initial home base of operations in the United States will be in South Carolina. The company was first invited to the state by the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) in July 2022 and has since been working with local and state government agencies to study practical use cases for its eVTOL aircraft, the SD-05.
Above: SkyDrive SD-05 rendering
SkyDrive CEO, Tomohiro Fukuzawa, stated that the decision to make South Carolina the company’s home base in the U.S. was driven by the state’s strong presence in the commercial and military aviation industries, as well as its large network of aerospace and aviation companies, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. With a mild climate, abundant tourism, and airports close to city centers, SkyDrive believes South Carolina is an ideal locationto utilize its SD-05 eVTOL aircraft.
“We are thrilled to bring our cutting-edge technology to the U.S. market and are confident that South Carolina’s resources and expertise in advanced aerospace manufacturing will provide us with a strong platform to achieve our goals,” said Fukuzawa. “We look forward to working with the state to create an advanced air mobility ecosystem that will put South Carolina at the forefront of eVTOL commercial operations.”
SkyDrive’s vision for the future of transportation is to create a more efficient and convenient form of travel globally/ Wirth the establishment of its home base in South Carolina, the company hopes to move one step closer to realizing this goal.
Why it’s Important: Notably, this news marks the entry of a leading Japanese eVTOL manufacturer, SkyDrive, into the U.S. market. With its home base in South Carolina, a state known for its strong presence in the commercial and military aviation industries and for its network of aerospace and aviation companies, SkyDrive is poised to make a significant impact on the industry.
SkyDrive’s decision to establish its home base in South Carolina also highlights the state’s commitment to advanced aerospace manufacturing and its potential to be a leader in the eVTOL market. This move also opens up new opportunities for SkyDrive to collaborate with local and state government agencies, aerospace companies, and other key stakeholders to create an advanced air mobility ecosystem in the state.
Source // Vertical Flight Society, SkyDrive
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