Japanese ‘flying car’ company with South Carolina ties begins production

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An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft manufacturer with ties to Beaufort County has started production of a protytpe aircraft

‘Flying car’ manufacturer SkyDrive, based in Toyota, Japan, has started producing its “SKYDRIVE (SD-05)” aircraft at Suzuki Motor Corp.’s manufacturing plant in Iwata-city, Shizuoka, Japan, according to a news release.

This marks a significant milestone in SkyDrive’s mission to revolutionize urban air mobility, the release stated.

The first riveting ceremony took place on March 6, attended by Toshihiro Suzuki, representative director and president of Suzuki, Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, all employees from Sky Works and other representatives, according to the release.

The ceremony marked the beginning of production and served as a symbol of the collaboration between SkyDrive and Suzuki.

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In January 2023, announced its plans to enter the U.S. market and establish its home base in Beaufort County. The company, which is developing a commercial “flying car,” has outlined its plan to develop an advanced air mobility ecosystem in South Carolina while focusing on building a variety of practical use cases originating from two of its key airports in cooperation with local and state government agencies.

Preparation for the start of production

SkyDrive is committed to delivering safer, more affordable, quieter, and emission-free aerial mobility solutions, the release stated. The establishment of Sky Works Inc., its manufacturing arm, and the partnership with Suzuki, are significant steps towards achieving this goal.

With the capacity to produce up to 100 eVTOLs per year, SkyDrive is poised to meet the growing demand for urban air mobility solutions, the release stated.

See also: Airbus reveals eVTOL prototype ahead of first flight test

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“Partnering with Suzuki, a renowned automotive manufacturer, is a momentous occasion for SkyDrive,” SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa said in the release. “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.”

SkyDrive plans to operate its eVTOL aircraft SKYDRIVE at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, showcasing the potential of eVTOL technology to the world.