Hyundai’s eVTOL startup Supernal pauses work following executive departures: report

Hyundai’s electric air taxi startup Supernal has paused work on its aircraft programme after recent staff cuts and the departure of its CEO and chief technology officer, TechCrunch reported on Sunday (Sep 7), citing two sources familiar with the matter.

Supernal announced the departure of CEO Jaiwon Shin late last week. David McBride, the CTO, has also left, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Shin was appointed CEO of Supernal upon its establishment in the US in 2021.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Supernal and Hyundai did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Regarding the commercial service, the “newly appointed leadership will assess and determine the optimal timeline moving forward”, Supernal said, while the company declined to comment on McBride’s departure.

Supernal shifted its global headquarters from Washington, DC, to Irvine, California, and laid off about 5 per cent of its total workforce, TechCrunch reported last year.

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The company last year partnered with a private jet charter firm and a passenger helicopter operator for the development of its air taxi infrastructure and said that it planned to launch its five-seat, battery-powered electric vehicle take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in 2028 for commercial intra-city passenger journeys. REUTERS