A lot of car marques are taking the flying car race seriously with the likes of Hyundai actively working in the field. And now,
Suzuki
Motor Corporation has made it clear that it would like a piece of the flying pie. The Japanese manufacturer has formally announced a partnership with
SkyDrive
which is currently engaged in the development of a two-seat electric flying car.
Suzuki and SkyDrive will collaborate in areas of business and technology that include technology R&D, planning of manufacturing and mass-production systems, and promotion of efforts to attain carbon neutrality. The company states that the project will have an initial focus on India, where it controls nearly half of the auto market.
SkyDrive aims to begin air taxi service during the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, Japan, as well as to initiate service in other regions of Japan. The vehicle in question will be a compact all-electric vehicle capable of vertical take off and landing (VTOL). The two companies will jointly develop the air taxi, however, finer details on the matter have not been revealed yet.
On Sunday, Suzuki Motor Corporation announced that it is investing Rs 10,445 crore in Gujarat, India by 2026 for manufacturing of EVs and EV batteries. An MoU was signed between the company and the state government at the India-Japan Economic Forum held in New Delhi on 19 March.
SkyDrive mentions in a press statement that the flying car will be targetted at international markets with the initial focus on India. Considering that Suzuki announced a big investment in India for EVs specifically, these electric flying cars could be sold under the Maruti Suzuki brand here, while other international markets would get Suzuki branded vehicles.
Suzuki currently offers products in three mobility categories — automobiles, motorcycles, and outboard motors. The partnership with SkyDrive will provide Suzuki with opportunities to explore and potentially add flying cars as a fourth mobility business.
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