SkyDrive and Vietnam-based CT UAV have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a pre-order of up to 100 of SkyDrive’s eVTOLs.

CT UAV, a subsidiary of CT Group, is a Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based company developing various kinds of UAV technologies. The two firms will look at commercial eVTOL considerations such as vertiports, routes and network planning, infrastructure requirements and ecosystems with interested stakeholders.

Toyota City-based SkyDrive is developing a three-seater eVTOL it calls ‘SKYDRIVE’, which is in the process of acquiring Japan Civil Aviation Bureau type certification.

Tomohiro Fukuzawa, SkyDrive CEO, said: “We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with CT Group, which is one of the three largest and most comprehensive UAV companies in Vietnam and has a large share of the urban development market, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, in providing eVTOL as a new means of mobility infrastructure that to solve modern society issues such as traffic congestion in Vietnam. It will be our honour to contribute to further social development in Vietnam.”

Thanks to the new pre-order from CT UAV, order book for SkyDrive’s eVTOL in Vietnam has reached 200 units. The deal follows on from Pacific Group’s order for 100 aircraft made in November last year.

CT UAV’s parent CT Group, operates across nine business lines. Along with three sustainable businesses, CT Group is focusing on six high-tech industries to bring Vietnamese intelligence into the fourth technology revolution, including CT UAV.

Tran Kim Chung, CT Group president said: “We recognise the importance of leveraging its accumulated expertise and technological capabilities in infrastructure development, as well as the development of cutting-edge technologies such as drones and AI. We expect to contribute to the general development of Vietnam on the global market.”