Toyota establishes joint venture with Joby Aviation to manufacture flying cars

Toyota Motor Corporation is establishing a joint venture with United States-based startup Joby Aviation to manufacture electric air taxis. According to reports published today, the newly formed production company will build the vehicles, focusing on establishing the groundwork for scaled commercial manufacturing.

The agreement formalises a manufacturing partnership between the Japanese automaker and the California-based aviation firm. In an official statement, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda characterised the formation of the new production company as an important step forward in realizing the future of mobility. The venture aims to combine Joby's electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designs with Toyota's mass-manufacturing infrastructure.

The aviation project represents one element of a wider diversification strategy currently underway at the automaker. Alongside its entry into the nascent air mobility market, Toyota is systematically expanding its broader electric vehicle operations to adapt to shifting global industry demands and regulatory frameworks.

Central to this strategy is the company's focus on diversifying its electric vehicle offerings, anchored by the planned introduction of its solid-state battery technology in 2027. By advancing this next-generation automotive power source while simultaneously establishing production capabilities in the electric aviation sector, Toyota is positioning itself to regain market share and secure long-term leadership in the evolving transportation landscape.