Air taxi maker Joby expands US facility with $61.5m deal

Joby Aviation has acquired a 700,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio, for US$61.5 million as it prepares to increase production of its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs).

This addition more than doubles its manufacturing footprint and marks its second facility in Ohio.

Joby aims to more than double its production rate to reach four aircraft per month by 2027.

The company also expanded its Marina, California, plant last July.

Joby and other air taxi manufacturers are scaling up production as they seek certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration, a requirement for commercial operations.

The company has received US$894 million in support from Toyota for manufacturing.

🔗 Source: CNBC

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Joby’s four-aircraft-per-month 2027 goal hinges on FAA milestones that remain unannounced

FAA test flights are expected in 2026 1. No target dates exist for Type Certification (approval that the aircraft’s design meets safety standards) or Production Certification (approval that factory plus quality system can consistently build aircraft that match the certified design), which are required before commercial manufacturing. The 2027 aim of four per month assumes on-time approvals, yet filings warn about certification timing risks 2 1. Without Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) completion dates (an FAA authorization that allows FAA test pilots to conduct for-credit certification flight tests) or Production Certificate milestones, the 700,000-square-foot Ohio facility could sit underused if delays extend into late 2026 or 2027. In 2025, the team completed over 850 flights, a 2.6x jump in flight rate 2, which supports the final stage of certification 2 and leaves entry-into-service timeline (the start of commercial operations) uncertain.

Automation and composites vendors can position early by joining Joby’s supplier portal ahead of Ohio ramp-up

Ohio adds 700,000 square feet and doubles the manufacturing footprint. Supplier base will expand to composite structures (lightweight carbon-fiber parts) and electric motors; a supplier portal is live 3. Toyota invested US$894 million to support factory layout plus production scaling 4 5. Automotive-grade manufacturing needs specialized automation and tooling, plus non-destructive testing suppliers (inspection methods that do not damage parts). Plans call for up to 500 aircraft per year 4, so engagement can secure contracts as production ramps in the late 2020s 3.