Joby Aviation Expansion: Asia & Europe Targeted

Joby Aviation's Global Expansion Plans

Despite initially concentrating its commercial launch efforts on North America, Joby Aviation, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger aircraft startup, anticipates establishing an early operational footprint in both Asia and Europe.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, participated in TC Sessions: Mobility 2021 on June 9th. While he refrained from disclosing the precise location of the initial launch, recent announcements indicate a shortlist comprising Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Initial Market Characteristics

Bevirt envisions establishing early operational markets within each of the three major regions – North America, Asia, and Europe.

The company’s primary launch market will be located in North America due to the geographical convenience of having most of its team nearby. However, Bevirt emphasized the company’s commitment to maximizing global impact.

“We are intensely focused on scaling our manufacturing capabilities to benefit as many individuals as swiftly as possible,” he stated.

Manufacturing and Partnerships

Joby Aviation is preparing to commence construction on a substantial 450,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. This facility is being designed in collaboration with Toyota.

The company has already successfully completed the development of a pilot manufacturing facility.

Over the past six months, Joby has significantly increased its public profile. A key development was the agreement to merge with Reinvent Technology Partners, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

Reinvent Technology Partners was founded by prominent investor and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, Michael Thompson, and Zynga founder Mark Pincus. Hoffman also participated in the TC Sessions: Mobility event alongside Bevirt.

Investment and Acquisitions

Prior to the SPAC deal, Joby had attracted considerable attention and investment as it progressed in the development of its eVTOL technology.

Toyota emerged as a crucial investor and partner, spearheading a $620 million Series C funding round in January 2020.

Furthermore, Joby acquired Uber’s air taxi project, Elevate, in a complex transaction approximately a year later.

Current Focus and Growth

Currently, Joby’s primary objectives are securing certification – a process underway with the FAA since 2018 – and manufacturing its eVTOL aircraft.

The company is also actively developing the operational framework and identifying suitable locations for its services.

This expansion has led to substantial growth in the company’s workforce, which has doubled in the past year to approximately 800 employees.

Vertiport Network Development

Joby Aviation recently announced a strategic partnership with REEF Technology, a leading parking garage operator, and Neighborhood Property Group, a real estate acquisition firm.

This collaboration aims to establish a network of vertiports, initially concentrating on Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Launch Timeline and Customer Experience

Bevirt anticipates launching commercial operations in one to two cities during the first year of operation, beginning in 2024.

“Our goal is to offer sufficient service coverage to ensure customers can fully experience the transformative benefits of our technology,” Bevirt explained.

He highlighted the importance of avoiding the pitfalls of launching a new service with inadequate supply, which can lead to customer frustration.

“We are dedicated to delivering a truly exceptional and satisfying experience to our customers, ultimately fostering a loyal fan base,” Bevirt concluded.