SkyDrive hits latest certification milestone and shares first real-life image of its eVTOL in flight - Related to real-life, merger, new, stalls, hits

Nissan open to new partnerships after Honda merger stalls – Foxconn emerges as possible candidate

Following reports of Nissan calling off a planned merger with Honda, the former is now open to working with new partners. The deal, if it was seen through, would have led to the formation of the world’s third largest automaker.

. Foxconn is seen as one possible candidate. The Taiwanese technology corporation, which is seeking to expand its new electric vehicle (EV) contract manufacturing business, is seen as a possible candidate.

Foxconn has previously approached Nissan about a bid but. Was rejected by the carmaker as it focused on Honda. Foxconn then looked to Renault, which owns a 36% stake in Nissan, to purchase a slice of the Japanese carmaker.

A separate investigation by Financial Times indicates Renault has reactivated talks with Foxconn regarding its plan to purchase a stake in Nissan. At present, its 36% stake in Nissan includes a remaining nearly 19% held in a French trust that it wants to offload. However, Nissan has the first right of refusal, which would make it difficult for a sale to materialise without its agreement.

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SkyDrive hits latest certification milestone and shares first real-life image of its eVTOL in flight

Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive shared two exciting developments today. First, it has officially received a G-1 certification in Japan for its flagship “SKYDRIVE” eVTOL. This is a step forward for the aviation startup working toward commercial eVTOL operations in Japan and the US. In the meantime, SkyDrive also shared its first real-world images of its aircraft, including one in the air.

SkyDrive Inc. is a lesser-known name in the blossoming sustainable aviation segment, but. It has been making quick progress in development on two continents while expanding its global customer base. A huge milestone on SkyDrive’s to-do list is reaching scaled eVTOL production. It intends to do so with the help of Suzuki, which has signed on to manufacture the aircraft in Japan.

In the summer of 2023, SkyDrive unveiled that it was establishing a US headquarters in South Carolina and. Had secured its first eVTOL pre-order. Its order books continue to grow as SkyDrive works toward achieving eVTOL flight certification in both the US and Japan.

While the organization has made progress on that front. We had yet to see any images of its flagship eVTOL beyond renderings… until now. Today, SkyDrive shared first real-life images of its “SKYDRIVE” eVTOL alongside a certification revision overseas in Japan.

SkyDrive eVTOL nabs G-1 certification from JCAB.

Earlier today, SkyDrive confirmed that its flagship eVTOL aircraft had been issued a G-1 certification basis from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). The country’s equivalent organization to the FAA in the US. This milestone builds upon existing cooperation between the eVTOL developer and JCAB to eventually achieve type certification for the former’s “SKYDRIVE” 3-passenger aircraft.

Speaking of which, SkyDrive also shared its first official images of the SKYDRIVE eVTOL (seen above) before its official unveiling at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Where it will also perform demonstration flights to the public.

SkyDrive says it is continuing discussions with JCAB over its future certification plan in order to reach a finalized agreement as to the eVTOL testing schedule and procedures. Once a certification plan is in place, SkyDrive intends to begin eVTOL ground and flight testing in Japan.

At the same time. The eVTOL developer is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to validate a separate certification process for the SKYDRIVE eVTOL in the US. SkyDrive’s Chief Development Officer Arnaud Coville spoke to the business’s certification milestone and what the future holds:

We are pleased to announce that the JCAB has issued the G-1 certification basis that will apply to our first commercial eVTOL aircraft. We have reached this significant milestone through a series of respectful and collaborative discussions with the JCAB. The issuance of this certification basis represents the culmination of substantial efforts invested over several months. We are also thrilled with the recent progress achieved in our validation project with the FAA. Our prototype aircraft, which is currently undergoing an extensive series of flight tests. Continues to accumulate valuable data as we make steady progress toward the upcoming demonstration flights at the Osaka Expo. As we pursue our certification roadmap and showcase the capabilities of our aircraft to the public. 2025 is set to become an significant year for SkyDrive. We are delighted that the year is off to such a great start.

SkyDrive says its flagship eVTOL is undergoing flight tests in preparation for its official public unveiling at the World Expo 2025, which will kick off in Osaka on April 13, 2025. And run through mid-October.

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Spy image reveals our first look at the EV interior of NIO’s new Firefly sub-brand

The details of Chinese EV automaker NIO’s ultra-affordable sub-brand, Firefly, continue to trickle in from overseas. A spy image of the interior of the first Firefly model is spreading like wildfire across Chinese social media, sharing our first look at its front seat.

You’ve most certainly heard of NIO by now. But you may not be aware of its latest sub-brand Firefly just yet. This boutique EV brand specializes in smaller, more affordable EVs and was presented by NIO years ago alongside a second sub-brand that would become known as Onvo, which launched in 2024.

The Firefly brand was officially launched during NIO Day 2024 this past December, in which the parent brand shared images of its first model. Designed to compete against compact brands like MINI and smart. While we have shared several exterior images of the upcoming Firefly EV, we have yet to get a glimpse at its interior… at least until now.

A new spy images emerging out of China offers a peek at the Firefly’s new flagship model,; check it out.

Spy image reveals Firefly EV interior looks similar to NIO.

As pointed out by CnEVPost, several auto blogs on Weibo have been circulating the spy image of what appears to be a Firefly EV. As seen above. While the giant red button in the center console hints that this is still a working prototype, the image clearly demonstrates the Firefly logo on the steering wheel and a dashboard reminiscent of a NIO EV.

The horizontal center screen and. Smaller dash display fit NIO’s design language, offering further evidence that this is Firefly’s flagship model being tested in the wild in China. That would make sense, as the EV is expected to hit the market soon overseas.

, during the Firefly brand launch. This flagship model will begin reaching clients in China sometime around April 2025, followed by Europe shortly after. NIO founder William Li previously stated that Firefly will rely on local partner outlets for European sales, starting sometime in the first half of 2025.

In China. The Firefly EV will be priced at RMB 148,800 ($20,390), the same as the discounted electric Mini Cooper. We will inform you about Firefly and any fresh images as we approach the proposed April launch date.

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