Story by and Image Credit: Molly Gilmore
manufacturing-today.com
Joby Aviation is making a high-stakes bet on the future of electric air mobility by expanding its domestic production capacity. In a December 2025 announcement, the California-based company shared plans to double its monthly output of electric aircraft by 2027. The expansion will enable Joby to manufacture up to four aircraft per month, up from its current pace of two.
This move represents more than a production increase. It signals Joby’s commitment to maintaining strategic control of its manufacturing process and scaling within the United States. With growing regulatory clarity and investor interest in the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sector, Joby’s operational expansion is timed to align with anticipated demand growth. The company is building the infrastructure it believes will be needed not only to support its initial service launch but to supply a global market for advanced air mobility aircraft.
Amid competition from peers like Archer and Volocopter, Joby is establishing a supply chain and manufacturing model rooted in scale, repeatability, and compliance with FAA requirements. This is a pivotal step toward commercial viability in an emerging market still navigating regulatory and technical challenges.
How Joby’s California and Ohio facilities anchor its production future
At the core of Joby’s expansion are two key manufacturing hubs: its existing site in Marina, California, and a growing footprint in Dayton, Ohio. The Marina facility, now spanning over 435,000 square feet, is already producing FAA-conforming aircraft for testing. The company has invested significantly in hiring to support around-the-clock operations at this location, signaling a long-term commitment to scaling production.
Meanwhile, Joby’s Ohio facility has started producing propeller blades and supporting advanced component testing. Ohio’s aerospace legacy and skilled labor pool make it an ideal location for Joby’s planned expansion. The site will serve as a complementary node in Joby’s broader manufacturing strategy, potentially easing logistics and adding redundancy to critical operations.
The distributed approach also positions Joby to reduce production risk. By building parallel capacity in two states, the company can accelerate learning curves, identify inefficiencies, and optimize production flows across facilities.
Toyota’s role in ramping up aircraft production quality and speed
Joby’s scaling ambitions are supported by a strategic relationship with Toyota, which invested $250 million earlier in 2025 to help bring Joby’s aircraft to market. Toyota’s experience in lean manufacturing and quality assurance offers an essential edge as Joby navigates the complexities of aerospace production.
The partnership is not limited to financial support. Engineers from Toyota are embedded in Joby’s manufacturing teams, working to refine processes and implement scalable assembly techniques. The goal is to replicate the consistency and reliability of automotive manufacturing in a highly regulated aviation context.
This alliance reflects a broader industry trend: the blending of automotive and aerospace expertise to accelerate the development of electric aircraft. Joby benefits not only from Toyota’s operational insights but also from its supplier relationships, which could help standardize parts procurement and improve cost controls over time.
Regulatory milestones and the path to FAA certification
Doubling output would be premature without progress toward certification, and here Joby appears to be on track. The company has completed power-on testing for FAA-conforming aircraft and is now preparing for type inspection authorization testing, a major milestone in the certification process.
These efforts are part of Joby’s broader engagement with the FAA and other federal stakeholders involved in integrating electric aircraft into national airspace. The company is participating in multiple government initiatives to test the performance, safety, and environmental impact of air taxi services.
FAA certification remains the key gating factor for commercial operations. With initial testing underway and continued collaboration with regulators, Joby’s progress suggests that its manufacturing investments are backed by regulatory momentum.
The decision to double output is not just about internal readiness. It sends a signal to the broader advanced air mobility market. Investors, municipalities, and infrastructure developers are watching closely for signs that leading manufacturers can meet future demand with a reliable supply.
Joby is positioning itself as a frontrunner not just because of its technology but because of its ability to build at scale. The expanded facilities will allow it to meet initial service requirements and begin to serve international demand. Its recent acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business underscores its ambition to control more of the air taxi value chain, from aircraft to operations.
As infrastructure for vertiports, air traffic integration, and public engagement takes shape, Joby’s manufacturing ramp-up gives it a first-mover advantage. In a market where credibility is tied to execution, Joby’s factory expansion marks a critical step toward delivering on the long-promised vision of urban air mobility.
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