Sports car manufacturer Porsche will help Eve bring its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to what is expected to be a mass market for urban air mobility (UAM). Under an agreement announced this week, the German group’s Porsche Consulting division will help Eve develop a supply chain for high-volume rates of production, as well as a strategy for global manufacturing and logistics for the vehicle that is expected to be certified in 2025.
Eve—which, following its recent initial public offering, is still majority-owned by Embraer—is one of several eVTOL pioneers turning to the automotive sector for help. For instance, Joby is backed by Japan’s Toyota and Archer Aviation has backing from the Stellantis group (formerly Fiat Chrysler).
The master services agreement between Porsche and Eve covers studies in industrial operations, logistics, supply-chain management, and part distribution. Even though Embraer has a global supply-chain and product-support network, Eve said it requires “an unprecedented approach optimized for efficiency, productivity, and safety.”
The companies will look at how the production of eVTOL aircraft could be scaled up and use a distributed production network to meet demand anticipated in cities around the world. Embraer has previously co-marketed its Phenom 300 light jet with Porsche cars. The Porsche Design Studio has been involved in work on interior styling for several private jets.
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