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SkyDrive receives pre-order for up to 100 SD-05s from Pacific Group

SkyDrive Press Release | November 28, 2022

Estimated reading time 5 minutes, 29 seconds.

SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading Japanese eVTOL1 manufacturer, and Pacific Group Co Ltd (“Pacific Group”), a leading renewable energy company and investment promotion with international funds in Vietnam, announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and agreed on a pre-order of 10 of SkyDrive’s “SD-05” and a conditional pre-order option up to 90 flying vehicles. Pacific Group has also agreed to explore sustainable and easily accessible new mobility solutions, focused on the use case of SkyDrive’s SD-05 flying vehicles, in the Vietnamese market.

The SD-05 is a two-seat electric-powered compact aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. SkyDrive Image

The significant traffic congestions are happening on a daily basis and remain as a societal problem in Vietnam. SkyDrive and Pacific Group will collaborate to evaluate the potential use cases by exploring the requirements for eVTOL vehicle operations in Vietnam. They will also evaluate other commercial considerations such as vertiports, route and network planning, infrastructure requirements, and ecosystem with interested players who can play a role in launching new mobility solutions in Vietnam.

“The urban streets in Vietnam, crowded with motorcycles and automotives are vibrant and exciting. However, 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,” said SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa. “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.”

“Vietnam Government committed at COP26 to go net-zero by 2050. 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,” said Le Ngoc Anh Minh, the executive president and founder of Pacific Group. “Of course, we will have to work closely with SkyDrive and several authorities such as Vietnam Transport Ministry, Civil Aviation Agency of Vietnam, Vietnam Ministry of Defense from time to time to explain and present the trend and technology of eVTOL to get approval and to enhance regulations updated. 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.”

About the SD-05

The SD-05 is a two-seat, electric-powered compact aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Operated by a driver-pilot, its flight stability is secured with the assistance of a computer-controlled flight system. SkyDrive is developing flying vehicles with an eye toward realizing a world where they are used in daily life for air mobility much as automobiles are used for daily ground transportation.

SkyDrive is in the process of acquiring a type certificate2 for the SD-05 from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), as the first of its kind in Japan. The company continues to work toward initiating practical use of flying cars during the World Exposition Osaka, Kansai scheduled for 2025 in Japan. The SD-05 is designed to travel up to approx. 10 km and the maximum cruise speed is 100 km/h. However, design and specifications are subject to change and the progress of design development.

This press release was prepared and distributed by SkyDrive Inc.

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