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| Hyundai takes air taxi efforts seriously |
Hyundai and General Motors have announced that they will push the development of flying cars, and the South Korean company is optimistic that air taxi service will begin as early as 2025.
A GM executive said it could be the year 2030 for air taxi services to overcome technical and regulatory hurdles and reach commercialization.
Many start-ups as well as aircraft and automobile manufacturers are developing zero-emissions aircraft that take off and land like helicopters, carrying passengers and cargo. But they have a long way to go to be profitable.
Jose Munoz, CEO of the company's global operations, said, “Hyundai announced the launch schedule in advance.
Munoz, who is also the CEO of Hyundai North America, previously added that air taxis will operate at major US airports from 2028 or even earlier.
He told Reuters that this could happen before 2025. We think this market is a huge growth opportunity. We are very confident in the development of technology.
Hyundai is developing a battery-powered electric pneumatic taxi. It can carry six people from the crowded city centers to the airport.
Other automakers that develop flying cars independently or in collaboration with start-ups are Toyota, Daimler and China Geely.
Hyundai takes air taxis seriously:
"I think there is still a long way to go," said Pamela Fletcher, vice president of the global innovation team at GM. 2030 could be a real commercial turning point.
"It's a whole new room," she added. There is a lot that needs to be done in terms of censorship and current technology.
In January, General Motors launched the Cadillac Flying model.
Morgan Stanley estimates that the total urban aviation market potential could reach $1 trillion by 2040 and $9 trillion by 2050.
Hyundai Motor has its own urban aviation division, led by a former NASA engineer who pledged in 2019 to invest nearly $1.5 billion in urban aviation by 2025.
In addition, Munoz said, Hyundai Motor will supply its flying cars to private customers and commercial cargo transportation.
"Hyundai does not want to sell flying cars as a simple commercial transaction," he added. But he believes he can develop vehicle-related services.