Lilium, a leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, announced its ongoing negotiations with the French government about increasing its production capacity in France. This news comes following a French government disclosure at the Choose France Summit in Versailles.
The company is considering multiple locations in Nouvelle Aquitaine, a region known for its robust aerospace and battery production sectors. Final decisions are anticipated in the next few weeks. Lilium cited France’s aerospace prowess, electric mobility expertise, skilled labor force, and supportive government policies as key factors influencing its choice.
Lilium, established in 2015, stands out as the only eVTOL aircraft manufacturer certified in both Europe and the United States. With initial production starting in 2023 near Munich, Germany, Lilium plans to launch the Lilium Jet by 2026. The expansion in France, involving an investment of up to €400 million, is expected to create about 850 new jobs and is part of Lilium’s strategy to scale production in response to growing international demand.
The company’s commitment to increasing its industrial presence in France includes partnerships with major French suppliers like Saint-Gobain, Michelin, Expliseat, and Ratier-Figeac. Lilium aims to capitalize on France’s established aerospace and electrification infrastructure to support its future growth.
Lilium’s current order book includes over 780 jets, with confirmed and memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreements spanning across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Analysts at Morgan Stanley project the global eVTOL market could generate $1 trillion in revenue by 2040, highlighting the strategic importance of the planned French production facilities for Lilium’s global market reach.
.png)
