Hyundai Motor Group and KAI to Jointly Develop Future Air Mobility

Supernal and KAI to Jointly Develop Air Mobility Vehicles
Commercialization of Electric Powertrains for Aviation

Hyundai Motor Group has joined forces with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the future advanced air mobility (AAM) business.

Jang Jaehoon, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (left), signed a "Joint Development Agreement for Future Air Mobility Aircraft Based on Electrified Powertrain for Aviation" with Kim Jongchul, President of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), on the 8th at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Hyundai Motor Group

On May 8, Hyundai Motor Group announced that it signed a business agreement for the joint development of future air mobility vehicles based on electric powertrains for aviation with Korea Aerospace Industries at its headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. The signing ceremony was attended by Jang Jae-hoon, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, Kim Jongchul, President of KAI, and other key officials.

The two companies aim to develop and mass-produce competitive future air mobility vehicles by leveraging Hyundai Motor Group's capabilities in developing electric powertrains for aviation and KAI's expertise in aircraft body development. Both parties agreed to collaborate extensively, not only by sharing technological and human resources, but also in areas including supply chain, certification, and customer networks.

Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group's U.S.-based advanced air mobility subsidiary, and KAI will jointly develop AAM vehicles, while Hyundai Motor and Kia’s aviation powertrain division will work with KAI to commercialize electric powertrains for aviation currently under development. In addition, the two companies plan to expand their collaboration by identifying new areas of cooperation across the entire aviation industry.

A Hyundai Motor Group representative stated, "This agreement with KAI, which leads Korea’s aerospace industry, is a tremendous strength for us as we develop future air mobility. We will present safe and attractive future air mobility solutions and expand the horizon of mobility to the skies."

A KAI official commented, "By combining KAI’s integrated capabilities in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing systems with Hyundai Motor Group’s mass production systems and mobility ecosystem, we expect to develop a global-leading ‘K-AAM.’ This partnership will serve as a catalyst for both companies to become game changers in the global commercial mobility market and will be a key driver in establishing Korea as a major aerospace power."

Meanwhile, Supernal appointed Farhan Gandhi, an authority in vertical takeoff and landing aerodynamics, as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on May 4 (local time). With over 30 years of experience in rotorcraft research, Farhan Gandhi is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Supernal’s technological capabilities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.