TOYOTA, Japan, January 10, 2024 – SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading Japanese eVTOL aircraft (*1) manufacturer based in Japan, today announced that it secured additional funding in its Series C round through a third-party allotment of new shares to Suzuki Motor Corporation (“Suzuki”). This will accelerate the development and manufacturing of our eVTOL aircraft.
（*1）Air Mobility is also called “eVTOL aircraft” which is an abbreviation for electric vertical takeoff and landing. eVTOL aircraft are characterized by electrification, a fully autonomous autopilot, and vertical takeoff and landing.
SkyDrive and Suzuki also jointly participate and exhibit at the Global Trade Show to be held during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 (*2) from January 9th to 13th in the State of Gujarat, India. This trade show is one of the largest exhibitions in the world with “Cutting-Edge Technology”. SkyDrive is exhibiting its 1/5 scaled SKYDRIVE (SD-05) at Maruti-Suzuki India Limited’s booth under the support of Suzuki.
With the agreement on business and technology collaboration with Suzuki (*3), we will explore and strengthen the business development of eVTOL in the Indian Market.
Left：Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Suzuki, Right：Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive in front of 20% scaled SKYDRIVE (SD-05) exhibition
■INFORMATION
Event: Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 – Global Trade Show
Duration: January 9 – 13, 2024
Location: Helipad Exhibition Center, Hall 2 Maruti-Suzuki India Limited’s booth
URL: https://www.vibrantgujarat.com/tradeshow
About SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive was formally established in July 2018 after testing flying car concepts and prototypes from 2014 with the mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution.” Its vision is to create a future where everyone has access to eVTOLs as their daily transportation in Japan and across the world. The company succeeded in the first crewed eVTOL flight test in Japan in 2019 and its eVTOL “SKYDRIVE” is in the process of acquiring its Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) certification. SkyDrive has been selected as a company to participate in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. SkyDrive plans to begin production of “SKYDRIVE” in the Spring of 2024 at the plant owned by official production partner Suzuki Motor Company. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. Tomohiro Fukuzawa is the CEO of the company.
For more information, please visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/
Editor’s Note:
(*1) “eVTOL” is an abbreviation for electric vertical takeoff and landing. eVTOL aircraft are characterized by electrification, a fully autonomous autopilot, and vertical takeoff and landing. It is also called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) or Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
(*2) Inauguration is on January 9, 2024, Business Days are 10 and 11, and Public Days are 12 and 13.
(*3) Related press release about collaboration agreement on business and technology in March 2022
https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/7323
Related press release about basic agreement on manufacturing in June 2023
https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/9453
Related press release about establishment of production subsidiary
https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/10245
Contact:
Yoshimi Yamamoto
Public Relations
SkyDrive Inc.
Email: info@skydrive.co.jp
Download the PDF from here
【SkyDrive】Air Mobility Under Development by SkyDrive, Production Partnered by Suzuki, Unveiled in India