Remember when flying cars were the stuff of sci-fi dreams and slightly unhinged inventors? Well, they're still a bit of that, but now Toyota is involved. Because apparently that's where we are now.
Automotive giant Toyota and electric air taxi pioneer Joby Aviation have just launched a joint venture to mass-produce Joby's S4 Series electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The new company's name? Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Co. (JTAMPC). Try saying that five times fast after a strong coffee.
JTAMPC will combine Joby's high-flying expertise in electric aviation with Toyota's legendary knack for churning out vehicles with ruthless efficiency. Toyota is putting in $1.02 million for a 51% stake, while Joby contributes $980,000 for 49%. It's a classic partnership, but with propellers.
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Start Your News DetoxToyota is essentially opening up its manufacturing playbook, letting JTAMPC use its intellectual property for a fee and offering a royalty-free license to develop new manufacturing tech. Any new innovations JTAMPC cooks up will be its own, with royalty-free access for both Joby and Toyota. Because sharing is caring, especially when you're trying to build a fleet of flying taxis.
From California to Ohio: The Production Plan Takes Flight
JTAMPC will set up shop in Marina, California, conveniently close to Joby's main operations in Santa Cruz. This isn't just a paper company; Joby already has manufacturing, training, assembly, and flight testing facilities in Marina, plus a powertrain and electronics hub in San Carlos. They're not exactly starting from scratch.
The joint venture isn't thinking small. They're eyeing a global manufacturing strategy, which means more locations down the line to ramp up production. Joby already has a high-rate production site in Dayton, Ohio, which saw expansions in 2024 and again this past January. Because if you're going to make flying cars, you're going to need a lot of space.
This new venture is the logical next step in a strategic alliance that Toyota and Joby first announced way back in October 2024. Toyota's been backing Joby since 2017, always with the understanding that when it came time for serious, high-volume manufacturing, Toyota would be the one to make it happen. They've been helping Joby refine production tech for years, like a very patient, very large mentor.
All this infrastructure and expertise is crucial as Joby navigates the certification process with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and braces for the inevitable demand for eVTOL aircraft. The Department of Transportation even released its Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy in December 2025, outlining plans to expand transit, create jobs, and develop the aviation manufacturing workforce. So, if you've ever dreamed of ditching traffic by hailing an air taxi, your ride might just be built by Toyota.
