Joby Aviation, Toyota Deepen Partnership with Joint Venture to Advance Electric Air Taxi Manufacturing

Joby Aviation Inc. and Toyota Motor Corporation have strengthened their long-standing collaboration with the creation of a joint venture designed to accelerate the production and commercial deployment of electric air taxis, marking a major milestone in the global race to develop advanced air mobility.

The companies announced that the new manufacturing alliance will combine Joby’s cutting-edge expertise in electric aviation with Toyota’s world-renowned production systems and manufacturing excellence, with the shared goal of transforming air mobility from an emerging concept into an everyday means of transportation.

According to the companies, the strategic alliance will initially concentrate on establishing the manufacturing framework required for commercial-scale production of Joby’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The partners will also focus on improving manufacturing efficiency by enhancing productivity, strengthening quality assurance and reducing production costs.

As the collaboration matures, the joint venture is expected to play a central role in expanding Joby’s manufacturing capability to support aircraft certification and meet the increasing global demand anticipated for electric air taxi services.

The announcement further cements a partnership that has evolved over nearly a decade, during which Toyota has provided Joby with technical expertise, manufacturing guidance and strategic support as the aviation company advanced the development of its all-electric aircraft.

Joby Aviation Founder and Chief Executive Officer, JoeBen Bevirt, said the establishment of the joint venture demonstrates the depth of the relationship between the two companies and reflects their shared ambition to reshape the future of transportation.

He noted that Toyota’s contribution had extended far beyond financial investment, providing invaluable manufacturing knowledge that has helped Joby prepare for commercial production.

“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,” Bevirt said.
He added that the latest development reflects both organisations’ confidence in the future of electric aviation.

“Today’s announcement reflects the strength of our relationship and our shared confidence in the opportunity ahead. Together, we share a vision of making aerial mobility an everyday reality, and we look forward to delivering on that promise together.”

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman, Akio Toyoda, said the initiative aligns with the company’s long-standing philosophy of delivering mobility solutions that improve people’s lives.

He explained that Toyota has continually expanded its definition of mobility over the years and now views air transportation as the next frontier in providing sustainable and accessible transport options.

“Since our founding, we’ve been guided by the philosophy of providing mobility for all. Over time, we’ve continued to expand what mobility can mean,” Toyoda said.
He described air mobility as a natural progression of Toyota’s mission, extending transportation beyond roads and creating new possibilities for society.

“We see air mobility as a natural extension of that philosophy – from the ground into the sky – and as a way to bring new value to people’s lives and to society. It’s really meaningful for us to take on this challenge together with Joby, a partner that shares the same vision.”

According to Toyoda, the strengthened partnership represents another important step towards building what he described as the “future mobility society.”

Both companies said they would continue working closely through the newly established joint venture, leveraging their complementary strengths to accelerate the introduction of commercial electric air mobility services around the world.

The collaboration comes at a time when the advanced air mobility industry is gaining momentum, with manufacturers investing heavily in aircraft certification, infrastructure development and large-scale production ahead of commercial operations.

Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft are expected to provide a cleaner, quieter and faster alternative to conventional urban transport by carrying passengers on short-distance flights while producing zero in-flight emissions.

Joby Aviation, headquartered in California, is among the leading developers of eVTOL aircraft. The company intends to operate its own network of electric air taxi services in major cities worldwide while also supplying aircraft to airline partners, governments and other commercial operators.

Toyota, one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, has increasingly diversified its investments into next-generation mobility technologies, including electrification, hydrogen fuel-cell systems, autonomous driving and now advanced air mobility.

The company has maintained a presence in North America for nearly seven decades through its Toyota and Lexus brands and operates more than 1,800 dealerships across the region.

Toyota directly employs approximately 64,000 people in North America, where its workforce has contributed to the design, engineering and manufacture of more than 50 million cars and trucks across 14 manufacturing facilities.

The company’s commitment to sustainable mobility was further demonstrated in 2025 when its North Carolina facility commenced the assembly of automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

Industry observers believe the joint venture positions both companies to accelerate the commercialisation of electric aviation by combining innovative aircraft development with one of the world’s most sophisticated manufacturing systems.

The partnership is expected to play a significant role in scaling production, improving operational efficiency and bringing electric air taxi services closer to widespread commercial reality.