Aviation company Boeing and high-performance automobile manufacturer Porsche have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
As part of the partnership, an international team that utilizes the two company’s respective assets, knowledge and skills will be created to analyze the future of premium urban air vehicles and its market potential.
“Porsche is looking to enhance its scope as a sports car manufacturer by becoming a leading brand for premium mobility. In the longer term, this could mean moving into the third dimension of travel,” said Detlev von Platen, member of the executive board for sales and marketing at Porsche AG. “We are combining the strengths of two leading global companies to address a potential key market segment of the future.”
According to a 2018 study by Porsche Consulting, the urban air mobility market is set to “pick up speed” in 2025. In addition, the study states that urban air transportation is more efficient and cheaper when compared to terrestrial means of transportation.
Porsche and Boeing are also developing a concept for an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle.
“This collaboration builds on our efforts to develop a safe and efficient new mobility ecosystem, and provides an opportunity to investigate the development of a premium urban air mobility vehicle with a leading automotive brand,” said Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager of Boeing NeXt. “Porsche and Boeing together bring precision engineering, style and innovation to accelerate urban air mobility worldwide.”
