Joby Aviation, Inc. and Toyota Motor Corporation have announced the initial phase of their strategic manufacturing alliance by establishing a joint venture focused on advancing air mobility. The collaboration combines Joby’s work in electric aviation with Toyota’s expertise in production systems and operational excellence.
The strategic alliance will initially focus on establishing the foundation for commercial production and advancing manufacturing excellence, with particular emphasis on improving productivity, quality and cost.
Going forward, the alliance will also support the expansion of Joby’s production capacity to support aircraft certification and meet anticipated growth in demand for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said Toyota has supported Joby for nearly a decade, providing guidance and assistance as the company developed the foundation for aircraft manufacturing. He said the announcement reflects the strength of the relationship and the companies’ shared confidence in the opportunity ahead.
Bevirt added that both companies share a vision of making aerial mobility an everyday reality and that they look forward to delivering on that ambition together.
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, said the company has been guided since its founding by the philosophy of providing mobility for all. He said Toyota has continued to expand its understanding of mobility and views air mobility as a natural extension of that philosophy.
Toyoda added that working with Joby, which shares the same vision, is meaningful for Toyota and that the strengthened relationship represents an important step toward realising the future of mobility.
Both companies will continue working closely through the joint venture, leveraging their respective strengths to expand air mobility and bring the technology to society on a broader scale.
