Joby Aviation Expands eVTOL Pilot Facility to Speed Air Taxi Launch
▼ Summary
– Joby Aviation has expanded its Marina, California pilot facility to 435,500 square feet, doubling production capacity to 24 eVTOLs annually.
– The facility will support certification, testing, pilot training, and maintenance once fully operational.
– Joby is collaborating with Toyota engineers for facility construction, following Toyota’s $250 million initial investment out of a planned $500 million.
– Joby added a sixth aircraft to its fleet, which received airworthiness certification within a week of completion.
– The company plans to launch commercial eVTOL operations in Dubai by early 2026, followed by a U.S. city.
Joby Aviation has significantly expanded its pilot manufacturing facility in Marina, California, marking a major step toward bringing electric air taxis to market by early next year. The upgraded facility now spans 435,500 square feet, more than double its previous size, with the capacity to produce up to 24 eVTOL aircraft annually. Once fully operational, the site will churn out nearly one aircraft every other week while supporting critical operations like federal certification, flight testing, and pilot training.
The expansion underscores Joby’s aggressive timeline for commercializing electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. With backing from Toyota, which recently invested $250 million as part of a larger $500 million commitment, the company is leveraging automotive manufacturing expertise to scale production. Engineers from Toyota are actively involved in developing both the California facility and a future high-volume plant in Dayton, Ohio, slated to produce 500 aircraft per year.
Meanwhile, Joby continues to grow its flight-testing fleet, adding a sixth aircraft that received airworthiness certification just days after completion. This milestone highlights the company’s streamlined certification process, a crucial advantage as it prepares for commercial launches. Initial operations are expected to debut in Dubai by early 2026, followed by expansion to U.S. markets.
Having gone public via SPAC in 2021, Joby remains at the forefront of the eVTOL race, combining rapid manufacturing scaling with strategic partnerships to turn urban air mobility into reality. The expanded facility not only accelerates production but also positions the company to meet regulatory and operational demands as it transitions from testing to real-world deployment.
(Source: TechCrunch)
