2-Seater Multirotor Manufacturer Aims for Vietnamese Market

SkyDrive Inc has signed an MOU for the sale of 10 of their future eVTOL aircraft with Vietnamese investment company, Pacific Group. 

The deal includes a conditional pre-order option for up to 90 of the electric 2-seaters should they prove popular later on. Pacific Group sees a bright future for the Japanese eVTOL marque, believing that the unique market conditions of the home islands make them sister-countries in urban congestion. 

Both SkyDrive and Pacific Group will collaborate on potential use cases for electric flying vehicles in Vietnam, with a thorough analysis of other commercial enterprises to support its infrastructure. Everything from vertiports and networks to charging facilities and maintenance lies on the table, with the companies eager to start digging into the fertile Vietnamese market. 

“The urban streets in Vietnam, crowded with motorcycles and automotives are vibrant and exciting,” said SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa. "Considering the current social problem of traffic safety and greenhouse gas emissions, I think this is one of the most important social issues that need to be addressed. The number of motorcycles and automotives is only increasing, and it takes time to develop roads and parking lots. We would be happy to contribute to solving Vietnam’s social issues by providing eVTOLs, a means of transportation using the sky, as one of the country’s new transportation infrastructures." 

Fukuzawa said his company can’t wait to lay groundwork for an eVTOL industry with their new partner. “Working with such a respected Vietnamese company with a wide variety of business networks within the country, SkyDrive expects to accelerate its ability to enter the Vietnamese market. Together with Pacific Group, we look to offer the Vietnamese community and market a new way to move around and a new way to enjoy air travel within the country.”

Similarly, Pacific Group is hungry to get to work meeting the country's net-zero carbon goals. “Vietnam Government committed at COP26 to go net-zero by 2050,” said Le Ngoc Anh Minh, the executive president and founder of Pacific Group. "Several companies and localities in Vietnam trend to zero-emission energy consumption and the zero-emission transportation is a must in the coming time. On the other hand, we can foresee the need of eVTOL in big cities in Asia e.g. Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi to provide new generation of transportation means." 

Minh understands the task ahead, remarking that a number of civil and governmental bodies will have to provide their stamp of approval before the SkyDrive SD-05s begin taking to the skies.

"There are many hurdles of transport facilities and regulation and also perception of the community in the time to come but we shall work together with SkyDrive to solve each from time to time. Next year 2023 remarking 50th year anniversary of Vietnam and Japan diplomatic relation and we really hope to create several activities with SkyDrive to promote this eVTOL not only for our business but also for contribution to the two nation’s scientific and friendship collaboration.”

FMI: www.en.skydrive2020.com