Six years and five months after Toyota launched Joby Aviation’s Series C financing, the biggest name in the future of eVTOL development and their titular partner from Japan are entering the mass production phase of their strategic partnership. Pairing the fastest-rising eVTOL developer with a leading light in automotive development, the global air taxi of tomorrow could be roaming cities near you.
The Joby S4 six-engine tilt-rotor, arguably the most recognizable eVTOL concept in the world, is in the final stages of flight testing in several global cities. Shareholder morale appears to be at an all-time high after the high-profile flight-dev phase is over, but the difficult process of transitioning to large-scale production is fraught with obstacles and hurdles, where even the big names often struggle.
The essence of Joby’s partnership with Toyota lies in its ability to manufacture S4 components at a speed and efficiency that dwarfs what the company could manage on its own. Under the joint Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company, the S4 benefits from the prestigious Toyota Production System manufacturing process from the start. At special production facilities in San Carlos and Marina, California, future air taxis will take the same manufacturing philosophy that Toyota’s ground taxis adopt.
“Toyota has been with Joby for nearly a decade and has been providing us with invaluable guidance and assistance as we build the foundation for our aircraft.” said Joby Aviation Founder and CEO Joby Bevirt. “Today’s announcement reflects the strength of our relationship and our shared belief in the opportunity ahead. Together, we share the vision of making air mobility an everyday reality, and we look forward to delivering on that promise together.” For Toyota, this is a sentiment shared by it as well.
“Since our inception, we have been guided by the philosophy of providing mobility for all. Over time, we have continued to expand what mobility can mean,” said Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Corporation. “We see air mobility as a natural extension of that philosophy – from the ground to the sky – and as a way to bring new value to people’s lives and society.” As of early July 2026, the Joby S4 is still undergoing testing in cities like Dubai, New York, and San Francisco. Early estimates for intelligent air taxis to enter revenue service are no later than late 2026 to early 2027.
