How Toyota is Manufacturing ‘Flying Cars’ with Joby Aviation

Toyota and California electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Joby Aviation have launched a joint venture called Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company. 

The venture marks the initial phase of the companies manufacturing alliance to support production of Joby’s eVTOLs and looks to establish the groundwork for commercial production. 

eVTOLs are sometimes referred to as ‘flying cars’. Earlier this year, Joby’s took to New York’s skies in the first point-to-point eVTOL demonstration flights in the city. 

Manufacturing alliance

Toyota says the alliance between the two companies will have a particular emphasis on improving productivity, quality and cost.

Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, says: “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. 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. We believe this strengthened relationship is an important step forward in realising the future mobility society.”

The companies have a history together. In 2024, JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby and Akio met at Toyota's Higashi-Fuji Technical Center to “assert their collective passion and ambition for air mobility”. 

In December 2025, Joby conducted a week-long flight demonstration campaign in Japan, a collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation.

Toyota and Joby’s US production

A press release issued by the companies did not specify where manufacturing would take place. 

Earlier this year acquired a facility in Ohio, spanning more than 700,000 square feet, adding to Joby’s existing production facilities in California and Ohio.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America at its 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

eVTOL demand

Toyota says the strategic alliance will meet anticipated growth in demand for eVTOL aircraft.

The technology could rapidly scale and deploy, with McKinsey predicting that passenger advanced-air-mobility operators could rival today's largest airlines in flights per day and fleet size by 2030.

JoeBen says: “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.

“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.”

Joby’s ‘flying cars’

Joby’s electric flying taxis are powered by six electric motors, six propellers, four battery packs and a triple-redundant flight computer.

The eVTOL is made with a titanium-alluminium-carbon fiber airframe supported by components made using robotic 3D printing.

The vehicles can fly at up to 200 mph at 10,000 ft.

Joby was named a partner on five US government backed projects, spanning 12 states of the federal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program which aims to expand eVTOL rollout across the US.

China has its own rollout of eVTOLs, with Xpeng expecting to release its “flying cars” in 2027.