Hyundai’s Supernal eVTOL venture stalls after leadership exodus
▼ Summary
– Hyundai’s electric air taxi startup Supernal has paused its aircraft program following staff cuts and the departure of its CEO and CTO.
– The company had not yet achieved its first untethered test flight and had planned to launch a commercial service in 2028.
– Supernal’s struggles reflect broader upheaval in the electric air taxi industry, with some startups thriving while others have failed.
– The startup laid off dozens of employees earlier this summer and abruptly closed its Washington, D.C. headquarters late last year.
– This is the second futuristic Hyundai-backed startup to face difficulties, following issues with autonomous vehicle company Motional in 2024.
Hyundai’s ambitious electric air taxi venture, Supernal, has temporarily halted its aircraft development program following a period of significant internal disruption. According to sources familiar with the situation, the pause comes after a series of staff reductions and the unexpected exit of both the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer. This operational setback occurs at a critical juncture for the company, which had been progressing toward its first untethered test flight with the goal of launching commercial services by 2028.
The leadership vacuum emerged abruptly with the departure of CEO Jaiwon Shin, followed closely by CTO David McBride. While the company publicly confirmed Shin’s exit, it remained silent regarding McBride’s status. In response to inquiries about its commercial timeline, Supernal indicated that newly appointed leadership would reassess and determine the optimal path forward. This turbulence reflects broader challenges within the emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector, where some firms are securing partnerships and funding while others struggle to stay afloat.
Earlier this year, Supernal conducted its inaugural test flight, a milestone long promoted by former executives. Both Shin and McBride had publicly emphasized the importance of these early demonstrations in validating the company’s technical capabilities. However, behind the scenes, the startup was already facing headwinds. Dozens of employees were laid off during the summer, and the company shuttered its Washington, D.C. headquarters late last year.
During this transitional phase, David Rottblatt, Supernal’s Senior Business Development Director, has stepped in as Interim Chief Operating Officer to oversee business operations. Hyundai Group has stated its intention to appoint new leaders with strong operational expertise to advance its Urban Air Mobility objectives. This is not the first time a Hyundai-backed futuristic mobility project has encountered difficulties; its autonomous vehicle unit, Motional, underwent a major restructuring last year after key partner Aptiv withdrew funding.
The situation underscores the high-risk, high-reward nature of advanced air mobility ventures and raises questions about Supernal’s ability to regain momentum in a competitive and capital-intensive industry.
(Source: TechCrunch)
