**”SkyDrive’s Ascent: Suzuki Propels Japan’s Leading eVTOL Hope into the Global Air Mobility Arena”**

Suzuki boosts SkyDrive's entry into the international air mobility competition

SkyDrive, a startup, appears to be Japan's leading contender in the growing air mobility sector.

TOKYO — SkyDrive is emerging as Japan's top contender in the new air mobility industry. This development could also provide Suzuki with an opportunity to introduce a new product to the U.S. market.

SkyDrive's blueprint for a fully electric aircraft that can accommodate three passengers, powered by a ring of 12 rotors, propels the company into the international competition with competitors from the United States and Europe.

The company, headquartered in Toyota City, is relying on the same strategy that propelled Japanese cars to global popularity: exceptional quality, innovative design, effective cost management, and superior production capabilities.

SkyDrive's flying vehicle is set to feature 12 propellers and can travel a distance slightly exceeding 9 miles.

An Overview of SkyDrive’s Aircraft

Model: SD-05

Capacity: Accommodates 1 pilot and 2 passengers

Power Source: Equipped with 12 electric motors and rotors

Energy Storage: Utilizes a lithium-ion battery provided by Electric Power Systems

Distance Capability: Can travel up to 9.3 miles

Maximum Speed: Reaches 62 mph

Cost: Estimated between $1.5 million and $2 million

Prototype Rollout: Expected on March 6, 2024

Market Availability: Potentially available for purchase by 2026

Information Source: SkyDrive

This month, SkyDrive received significant support due to major investment from Japanese automotive manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corp. and a new wave of preorders from a client in the United States.

On March 6, in one of its central Japan facilities, Suzuki started manufacturing SkyDrive's prototype aircraft. Shortly after, on March 14, SkyDrive secured preorders for as many as five aircraft from Bravo Air, a private air charter company based in Augusta, Georgia.

At the Suzuki manufacturing plant located in Iwata, a city situated between Tokyo and Nagoya, employees dressed in blue and white uniforms installed the initial rivet for a vehicle set to debut at Expo 2025, the upcoming world fair in Osaka and the Kansai area of Japan, beginning in April next year. Present at the event were Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki and SkyDrive's 36-year-old CEO, Tomohiro Fukuzawa.

"This marks the start of a new chapter," Fukuzawa commented regarding the collaboration with Suzuki, which initially invested in SkyDrive in 2022 and boosted its investment in January.

Fukuzawa stated that their mutual objectives of excellence, creativity, and client contentment make them a perfect collaborator in their mission to transform city air transportation.

For Suzuki, this presents an additional indirect way to enter the U.S. market. Back in 2012, the company announced it would cease selling passenger cars in the United States. However, Suzuki continues to sell a significant number of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and outboard marine engines to American consumers.

In Japan, SkyDrive stands out as the leading domestic startup nearing the launch of passenger flight services. Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Corporation is supporting the American competitor, Joby Aviation. Honda, already experienced in producing conventional jet-powered planes, is also developing similar technology. Subaru, known for its aerospace division that builds helicopters, showcased its concept of an electric aircraft resembling a UFO at the Japan Mobility Show last autumn. However, Subaru currently has no commercial plans for this project.

Similar to SkyDrive, air mobility projects globally are approaching the stage where they are ready to launch.

A research initiative funded by New Horizon Aircraft, an aspiring company in the aviation sector, revealed that stakeholders anticipate the launch of commercial flights by 2025, with regular flight paths being solidified by 2026.

According to research firm Markets and Markets, the worldwide electric air mobility market, worth $1.2 billion in 2023, is projected to expand by 52 percent annually, reaching approximately $23.4 billion by 2030.

Factories similar to Suzuki's, which utilize the automotive sector's proficiency in quality and efficiency, have the potential to mass-produce electric aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, known as eVTOLs, by the thousands.

Certainly, challenges are plentiful, not only for SkyDrive but for all companies entering the eVTOL market.

Even if aircraft manufacturers obtain certification, successfully mass-produce, and deliver their products to clients, the aircraft might still be unable to fly. Similar to electric vehicles, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will require charging stations and designated landing areas, an infrastructure that is currently almost entirely lacking.

Similar to autonomous vehicles, extensive new regulations will be required to manage this innovative mode of transportation, particularly those that designate airspace and guarantee the safety of the public and passengers.

SkyDrive is beginning with an annual production capability of only 100 aircraft at Suzuki's factory.

However, the company aims to surpass that milestone once it secures approval from aviation regulators in Japan and the United States, according to Kenji Nakagawa, who oversees business development.

SkyDrive aims to launch commercial operations by 2026 and begin large-scale manufacturing by 2027.

According to this illustration, the plane will feature seats for a pilot and two passengers.

Initial test flights with passengers are scheduled for the upcoming Osaka Kansai Expo next year. SkyDrive will face competition from international contenders such as Joby Aviation from the United States, Germany’s Volocopter, and Vertical Aerospace from the United Kingdom, all of whom are anticipated to display their innovations.

The roster highlights the skyward aspirations of international car manufacturers. Volocopter is financially backed by Mercedes-Benz and Geely, while Joby has secured $400 million in funding from Toyota.

SkyDrive previously attracted attention from Toyota. Originating from Toyota City, the automaker's headquarters, SkyDrive was founded by a team of volunteers, some of whom were employees of Toyota Motor.

CEO Fukuzawa gained his initial experience in international parts sourcing at Toyota. Additionally, SkyDrive received an investment of ¥42.5 million ($289,400) from Toyota over three years, concluding in 2020.

Subsequently, the leading global car manufacturer shifted its attention to the more established company, Joby. Joby had been ahead of SkyDrive by several years and became a publicly traded entity in 2021.

Nevertheless, SkyDrive, being Japan's sole eVTOL company, received crucial support. The Japanese government, which has increasingly bolstered startups in cutting-edge technology fields, provided this backing. This initiative is, in part, a response to comparable strategies implemented by neighboring China.

"We are fortunate to be the initial participants in Japan due to the backing we receive from the Japanese government," Nakagawa stated. "To advance our development, we require the support of the Japanese government."

Up until now, SkyDrive has secured $188 million in funding, with $85 million coming from Japanese government grants. This amount encompasses an initial investment round from Suzuki, though it does not account for the additional funds provided in January. Suzuki has not revealed the total amount of its contributions.

SkyDrive will leverage its reputation as a Japanese brand to emphasize quality, while relying on Suzuki's expertise in affordable engineering and production to create a competitively priced product.

"Suzuki believes in designing extremely compact transportation for all," Nakagawa stated. "Our goal is to develop very small and efficient aircraft for everyone. Therefore, our visions align closely. We are working together to drive a groundbreaking transformation in mobility that happens once in a century."

SkyDrive established a new branch named Sky Works to manage manufacturing operations at Suzuki's plant.

The SkyDrive SD-05 aircraft from SkyDrive resembles a small helicopter. It features landing skids and a spherical cabin that can accommodate a pilot and two passengers. Unlike traditional helicopters with a single rotor and tail, this vehicle is surrounded by a ring of 12 rotors, giving it an appearance similar to a large drone.

The power source will be lithium-ion batteries provided by Electric Power Systems based in North Logan, Utah.

The vehicle is designed to cover distances up to approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), reach top cruising speeds of 100 km/h (62 mph), and handle a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms (3,086 pounds).

To achieve this, SkyDrive will utilize Japan's highly efficient manufacturing industry for its suppliers.

Toray, a leading manufacturer of carbon fiber, will provide the body and rotor frames. The electric motors and rotors will come from top-tier Japanese suppliers, though SkyDrive has not yet disclosed which specific companies will be involved.

Suzuki is providing financial support, the production plant, and engineering teams for the initiative. SkyDrive is relying on Suzuki to help them enter the Indian market, where Suzuki Motor and its partnership with Maruti Suzuki dominate roughly 40 percent of the passenger car industry.

Certainly, following Japan and the United States, SkyDrive is primarily focusing on India and Southeast Asia as their key markets.

SkyDrive, a company with a workforce of 236, had secured over 250 aircraft preorders by December.

Austin Aviation in the United States expressed interest in acquiring as many as five units. Buyers in Japan made reservations for three units. Meanwhile, a South Korean aircraft leasing firm placed an order for as many as 50 units.

Two businesses in Vietnam have agreed to purchase up to 100 SkyDrive units each.

SkyDrive has announced that the final cost of their aircraft will range from $1.5 million to $2 million.

Japan's rugged terrain provides an ideal setting for aerial transportation. The country is characterized by a network of mountains and valleys, with its largest cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, situated around expansive bays. Additionally, numerous islands can only be accessed by boat.

Traveling in Japan can often be a complex, frustrating, and lengthy process. A cost-effective electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle that can fly directly over mountains or make short trips to islands would be incredibly beneficial.

Currently, the Suzuki-SkyDrive collaboration isn't generating any income and has minimal foreign investment. However, with prototype manufacturing now underway due to Suzuki's involvement, SkyDrive aims to enhance its international reputation this year and attract more funding from abroad.

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