Toyota and Joby Aviation Form Strategic Alliance to Accelerate Electric Air Taxis
Toyota and Joby Aviation have formed a strategic manufacturing joint venture to accelerate the production of electric air taxis. The partnership combines Joby’s pioneering eVTOL technology with Toyota’s automotive manufacturing expertise to realize the vision of scalable, sustainable aerial mobility solutions for urban environments.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1 MIN READ- Toyota and Joby Aviation have established a joint venture to manufacture eVTOL air taxis.
- The new entity, Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company, is 51% owned by Toyota.
- The partnership focuses on scaling up production of Joby’s S4 Series electric aircraft.
- A five-member board, controlled by Toyota, will oversee the venture's strategic operations.
Toyota has officially entered a strategic manufacturing alliance with Joby Aviation, marking a significant step toward the commercialization of electric air taxis. This new venture, established on June 30, 2026, aims to leverage Toyota’s world-class production systems and operational expertise to support the large-scale manufacturing of Joby’s S4 Series electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The collaboration will operate through a newly formed entity named Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company. According to regulatory filings, Toyota will hold a 51% ownership stake in the joint venture, while Joby Aviation will retain 49%. The venture is designed to focus on establishing robust commercial production capabilities, ensuring high manufacturing standards, and optimizing costs for future aerial mobility operations.
Strengthening the Future of Aerial Mobility
This partnership is overseen by a five-member board of directors, with three representatives appointed by Toyota and two by Joby. As part of the agreement, Joby will provide the venture with exclusive manufacturing rights for its S4 Series aircraft, alongside a royalty-free license for relevant intellectual property. In return, the manufacturing giant will contribute its deep industrial expertise, utilizing both jointly developed technology and proprietary manufacturing processes.
JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, highlighted that the decade-long relationship between the two companies has been instrumental in building the foundation for their aviation ambitions. The goal is to make Toyota-backed air mobility an everyday reality. Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, expressed that the firm views air mobility as a natural extension of its long-standing philosophy of providing mobility for all, moving from the ground into the sky.
The strategic alliance is subject to standard regulatory reviews, including potential scrutiny under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Both companies have agreed to finalize exclusive manufacturing supply agreements before achieving their initial funding milestones. Failure to reach terms on these essential commercial arrangements could provide either party the right to terminate the agreement. As the project advances, additional capital contributions will be determined to support the anticipated growth in demand for eVTOL transport solutions worldwide.
This investment strengthens the ties between the two entities, with further financial support tied to the successful execution of these commercial milestones. As the industry watches closely, the Toyota and Joby partnership represents a critical milestone in the race to deploy safe, efficient, and sustainable electric air taxis for urban environments.
