Air taxi maker Joby buys new factory, more than doubles manufacturing footprint

Joby Aviation has announced the acquisition of a significant 700,000-square-foot manufacturing facility located in Dayton, Ohio. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the company's production capabilities for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, commonly referred to as eVTOLs. With this addition, Joby’s manufacturing footprint more than doubles, marking a pivotal step in its growth trajectory. The company reiterated its ambitious plans to increase production capacity to four aircraft per month by 2027, a goal first revealed last year. CEO JoeBen Bevirt emphasized the importance of this facility in supporting Joby’s future expansion, linking it to broader efforts to rejuvenate the U.S. aerospace industry, both commercial and defense. "The reindustrialization of Ohio has become central to Joby's story, and with unparalleled governmental and policy support, we are poised to ensure that the aircraft defining the future of flight are manufactured right here in America," Bevirt stated in a recent announcement. As the air taxi sector gains momentum, manufacturers like Joby are ramping up their production capabilities to capitalize on the growing market and secure a competitive advantage. Recently, Joby expanded its existing manufacturing facility in Marina, California, and began producing propeller blades at the new Dayton site as of October. Joby has received substantial backing, including $894 million from automotive giant Toyota, to bolster its production efforts. Electric air taxi companies are also in a race for certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to commence commercial flights in collaboration with major airlines, government entities, and defense partners. The U.S. government is also increasing its investments in this innovative sector. Last year, a pilot program initiated by President Donald Trump aimed to test air taxi technology, while the Department of Transportation laid out a roadmap for testing in select markets. Additionally, Joby and its competitor Archer Aviation have collaborated with nations in the Middle East to trial and implement their technologies.