SkyDrive Inc. (Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, CEO: Tomohiro Fukuzawa, hereinafter “SkyDrive”) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Company Limited (Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand, CEO and Chairman of the Board: Vichai Kulsomphob, hereinafter “Saha Pathana Inter-Holding”) and Saha Tokyu Corporation (Headquarters: Chonburi, Thailand, President: Shinji Suyama, hereinafter “Saha Tokyu”) to explore the application of the flying car “SKYDRIVE (SD-05)” in Thailand.
Scenes from the signing ceremony at “Saha Group Fair 2024” in Bangkok on June 28, 2024. From left: Saha Tokyu President Shinji Suyama, SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, Saha Pathana Inter-Holding CEO and Chairman of the Board Vichai Kulsomphob
Saha Pathana Inter-Holding, a subsidiary of the Saha Group, one of Thailand’s leading conglomerates, engages in the development of industrial parks and new business investments, and operates a private airfield for light aircraft within its industrial parks in Si Racha, Chonburi. Saha Tokyu is a joint venture between Tokyu Corporation and the Saha Group, primarily engaged in real estate business such as rental housing in Si Racha.
In Thailand, economic growth has been accelerated by the expansion of Japanese companies into industrial parks in areas like Si Racha. However, this has also led to serious social issues such as traffic congestion and environmental pollution caused by vehicle emissions. Therefore, there is a growing expectation for diverse transportation options to alleviate congestion and address environmental concerns.
SkyDrive SD-05 (production model)
Under this agreement, the three companies will explore use cases for the flying car “SKYDRIVE (SD-05)” in areas such as Si Racha, Pattaya, and Phuket. Additionally, these use cases will be re-imported to Japan to consider the development of air taxi businesses in urban planning by the Tokyu Group, thereby exploring further business expansion possibilities.
Comments from Representatives
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive
“We are honored to partner with SPI and Saha Tokyu. While Thailand is experiencing remarkable economic growth, traffic congestion and environmental pollution caused by automobiles are serious social problems. We believe that our compact and zero-emission eVTOL aircraft “SKYDRIVE” will contribute to solving the issues. We look forward to working with both companies to explore new business opportunities in Thailand.”
Vichai Kulsomphob, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Saha Pathana Inter-Holding
“SPI, as an industrial park developer, emphasizes the development of technology to reduce pollution and aim for long-term sustainability. In the past, Japanese companies expanded their production bases in various industrial estates across Thailand, which has led to growth in the transportation sector and significant fuel consumption. At the same time, it has caused environmental concerns in transportation and logistics. Therefore, SPI is exploring alternative travel modes that will be safer, more convenient, and faster while significantly reducing the environmental footprint. We see SkyDrive’s zero-emission eVTOL aircraft’s potential to be able to achieve environmental reduction and expansion in Thailand. This has led to a collaboration between Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Company Limited (SPI), Saha Tokyu Corporation Limited (STK), and SkyDrive Inc.”
Shinji Suyama, President of Saha Tokyu
“We, Saha Tokyu Corporation marks our 10th anniversary in this year, and we have been working to create a living environment in Sriracha, Thailand, where Japanese companies, mainly in the manufacturing industry, are expanding, by combining the knowledge and know-how of both Saha Group and Tokyu Group. We are honored to be able to start discussions with Saha Group and SkyDrive, a leading Japanese company developing eVTOL aircraft, a new form of mobility that is attracting global attention, to consider business in Thailand. We believe that we can contribute to the local community and economy of Thailand by supporting the expansion of cutting-edge companies such as SkyDrive into Thailand and providing real estate services to those who are involved in new industries.”
Conclusion
The collaboration between SkyDrive, Saha Pathana Inter-Holding, and Saha Tokyu signifies a groundbreaking step towards addressing critical transportation and environmental challenges in Thailand through innovative solutions like the “SKYDRIVE (SD-05)” flying car. By leveraging the strengths and expertise of all three parties, this partnership aims to explore and implement advanced air mobility solutions that can alleviate traffic congestion, reduce environmental impact, and drive economic growth. Furthermore, the insights and experiences gained from this collaboration will not only benefit Thailand but also have the potential to be applied in urban planning and transportation strategies in Japan and beyond. This marks a promising beginning for the future of urban air mobility, setting a precedent for sustainable and efficient transportation systems worldwide.
References:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000120.000038857.html
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