Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corp 7269.T said on Tuesday it had agreed with SkyDrive Inc to make “flying cars,” using a factory in central Japan to make electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The companies aim to begin production by around spring next year, Suzuki said in a statement. SkyDrive will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary to make the aircraft, and Suzuki will help with preparations for the manufacturing, including securing human resources, the company added.
Amid global urban congestion and a shift in transportation needs toward more flexible “transportation as needed” approaches, the development of vehicles that can lift drivers above traffic jams and mountainous terrains is one of the most exciting trends in automotive technology. Three other firms are in the process of ushering their flying car concepts into production.
With a goal of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” the company established the eVTOL SKYDRIVE in 2014 and has been conducting testing since then. It is also in the process of obtaining airworthiness certification for its vehicle.
Founded in 1920, Suzuki is one of the world’s leading automotive makers, with operations spanning global markets through its car, motorcycle, marine, and power products businesses. The company is based in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, with numerous subsidiaries and joint ventures globally.
The first manned outdoor flight of a four-wheeled flying car was carried out on Friday in Oita, western Japan, in a test by a local consortium of aviation and automobile businesses. The two-seater vehicle flew for about 400 meters at an altitude of 30 meters and stayed stable throughout the flight.
As the automobile business boomed in the 1970s, Suzuki expanded through overseas acquisitions. It built factories in India and Indonesia, set up joint ventures with GM and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and established its first U.S. subsidiary in Brea, California, in 1986.
However, by the end of the 1990s, a slump in the economy scuttled plans for further expansion. The automaker was also hit by allegations that it produced an unsafe miniwagon, the Wagon R, and consumer reports criticized its Samurai SUV as prone to rolling over on sharp turns.
The company’s fortunes began to turn after 2000, as economic growth increased in many countries and demand for vehicles increased in regions such as Asia. Among other things, it developed the compact Eco-car and the X-ADV offroader and expanded its business in developing countries through new joint ventures with GM and Kawasaki. In addition, it launched the RMZ motocross bike. The company aims to expand its global footprint in emerging markets by leveraging its strong position in motorcycles, cars, and marine products. In 2016, its net sales stood at 1.14 trillion yen ($10.7 billion). The company’s shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
