Hyundai Motor's Air Taxi Commercialization Timeline Accelerates

Hyundai Motor North America: "We Will Accelerate the Commercialization of Air Taxis"

Jose Munoz, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Hyundai Motor Global

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Hyundai Motor Company has decided to commercialize its flying air taxi in 2025, three years ahead of the original plan. This move aims to secure a leading position in the rapidly growing Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market.

Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor's Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of North America, stated in a media interview on the 14th (local time), "We see the air taxi market as an important growth opportunity and have decided to advance the launch schedule," adding, "We will commercialize it by 2025."

Previously, Hyundai had announced a goal at the end of last year to develop air taxis jointly with the global ride-sharing company Uber by 2028.

The air taxis to be commercialized in the United States will use electric battery-powered aircraft to connect major airports such as Los Angeles (LA) Airport and New York John F. Kennedy Airport with key urban hubs, transporting 5 to 6 passengers.

Following the air taxi, Hyundai plans to introduce a hybrid powertrain cargo unmanned aerial system (UAS) to the market for the first time in 2026, and in 2028, launch a fully electrified UAM model optimized for urban operations. In the 2030s, it also plans to release regional air mobility products connecting neighboring cities.

The reason Hyundai is accelerating its entry into the UAM market is due to the rapid growth of the related market. Investment bank Morgan Stanley forecasts that the flying mobility market will reach $1 trillion (approximately 1,120 trillion KRW) by 2040 and $9 trillion (approximately 1,000 trillion KRW) by 2050.