Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation have firmed up their plans to jointly produce eVTOL aircraft, announcing what they described as a strategic alliance on June 30. The partners said they will start jointly establishing the groundwork for commercial production of Joby’s four-passenger model “with a particular emphasis on further improving productivity, quality, and cost.”
The Japanese automotive group is a major investor in Joby, having provided <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-10-02/toyota-agrees-500m-investment-jobys-evtol-aircraft">almost $900 million</a> in capital for the California start-up. Toyota, which employs nearly 64,000 people in North America, is providing technical support for Joby’s efforts to establish a series production line for the S4 eVTOL aircraft in Ohio.
This week’s announcement did not provide any update as to when Joby expects to complete FAA type certification of its aircraft, which has been slated to happen this year. Reporting first-quarter results in early May, Joby did not provide an updated estimate for FAA approval but did report that it expects to start operating early examples of the design under the U.S. eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. During the first quarter, Joby started flying the first FAA-conforming example of the aircraft for type inspection authorization.
In an 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, Joby said it is forming a joint venture company with Toyota called the Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company. It will hold a 49% stake in this entity based on a purchase price of $980,000, and its Japanese partner will be the majority owner with a stake worth just over $1 million.
“Toyota has been at Joby’s side for nearly a decade, providing invaluable guidance and support as we built the foundation for manufacturing our aircraft,” commented Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt. “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 the promise together.”
In November 2024, Joby and Toyota held a public flight demonstration with the S4 aircraft in Japan. The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-11-02/joby-and-toyota-demonstrate-evtol-aircraft-japan">event</a>&nbsp;was attended by Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda and officials from Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau.

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Toyota and Joby Start eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturing Joint Venture

Toyota will be the majority owner of the production company

Japanese car maker Toyota, which is already the biggest investor in Joby Aviation, is partnering with the eVTOL aircraft developer to start production. 

Toyota and Joby Start eVTOL Manufacturing Joint Venture

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