Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Archer have announced a partnership to enable Archer to benefit from access to FCA’s low-cost supply chain, advanced composite material capabilities, and engineering and design experience.
California-based Archer is creating the world’s first all-electric airline that moves people throughout the world’s cities in a quick, safe, sustainable and cost-effective manner.
Archer will manufacture high-volume, composite, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with the intent of starting production in 2023. FCA has already collaborated on cockpit design elements of Archer’s first flying taxi, which is expected to be unveiled in early 2021.
Brett Adcock, co-founder and co-CEO of Archer, says: “We’ve been hyper-focused on a customer-first approach to vehicle design and aircraft operations. Now we are working with a seasoned, industry-leading automotive partner to leverage cost benefits and experience that will allow Archer to produce thousands of aircraft reliably and affordably every single year.”
Doug Ostermann, vice president and head of global business development of FCA, adds: “Electrification within the transportation sector whether on roads or in the air is the future and with any new and rapidly developing technology, scale is important. Our partnership with Archer has mutual benefits and will enable innovative, environmentally friendly transportation solutions to be brought to market at an accelerated pace.”
Archer is designing, manufacturing, and operating a fully eVTOL aircraft that can carry passengers for 60 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph while producing minimal noise. Archer’s team is based in Palo Alto, California.
Keyword: FCA Group Partners With U.S. Air Taxi Start-up Archer to Accelerate eVTOL Production