- Toyota Joby Aviation joint venture accelerates commercial eVTOL manufacturing.
- Alliance strengthens future aircraft production capacity and quality.
Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation have formally launched the first phase of their strategic manufacturing alliance to advance the commercialization of electric air mobility. Announced on June 30, the companies established a joint venture named Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company to combine advanced manufacturing expertise with aircraft development capabilities. The collaboration is intended to lay the manufacturing foundation required for the next stage of commercial production while maintaining the technical direction previously outlined by both organizations.
The newly established Delaware-based company will be owned 51% by Toyota and 49% by Joby. Toyota will purchase 1,020,000 shares in the joint venture for USD 1,020,000, while Joby will acquire the remaining 980,000 shares for USD 980,000. Governance will be handled through a five-member board of directors, with Toyota appointing three members and Joby nominating the remaining two directors to oversee strategic and operational decisions.
Ownership Structure of the Manufacturing Joint Venture
| Partner | Ownership | Shares | Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 51% | 1,020,000 | USD 1,020,000 |
| Joby | 49% | 980,000 | USD 980,000 |
Manufacturing Rights and Intellectual Property Framework
According to the shareholder agreement, Joby is expected to provide the joint venture with exclusive manufacturing rights for its S4 Series aircraft. In addition, the company plans to grant a royalty-free license covering the intellectual property required for manufacturing activities. Toyota will contribute its manufacturing capabilities by offering a royalty-free license for jointly developed manufacturing intellectual property together with a royalty-bearing license for selected pre-existing Toyota manufacturing technologies.
Focus on Commercial Production Readiness
The alliance is designed to establish the manufacturing groundwork necessary for commercial production while enhancing operational excellence across the production process. Initial efforts will concentrate on improving productivity, manufacturing quality, and overall cost efficiency. As development progresses, the collaboration is also expected to support the expansion of Joby's production capacity to assist aircraft certification activities and address anticipated demand growth for its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
Key Objectives of the Strategic Alliance
- Establish commercial manufacturing readiness.
- Improve productivity across manufacturing operations.
- Enhance production quality and cost efficiency.
- Support certification of S4 Series aircraft.
- Expand future eVTOL production capacity.
Commenting on the collaboration, Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said, "Toyota has been by Joby's side for nearly a decade, providing invaluable guidance and support as we built the foundation for manufacturing our aircraft."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Toyota and Joby Aviation joint venture?
The joint venture has been established to prepare commercial manufacturing for Joby's S4 Series electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Toyota will contribute manufacturing expertise and technology, while Joby will provide aircraft manufacturing rights and intellectual property. Together, the companies aim to improve productivity, manufacturing quality, cost efficiency, production capacity, and certification readiness to support the future commercialization and expected market demand for advanced air mobility aircraft.
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