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March 24, 2025 — Samson Sky, the U.S. developer of the Switchblade flying car, has locked in an $80 million investment from Dubai’s Matin Group to build the vehicle’s first dedicated production facility. The move brings the roadable aircraft one step closer to delivery, though another $20 million remains to be raised to fully fund production.
The new 180,000-square-foot factory—set in an undisclosed U.S. location—will be operated through a joint venture between Samson Sky and Matin Group. The facility is designed to produce the Switchblade, a two-seat hybrid-electric vehicle that drives on public roads and then unfolds its wings and tail in about three minutes to fly. Samson Sky founder and CEO Sam Bousfield said the two companies “quickly advanced to a position of trust” after Matin Group spotted the Switchblade’s potential. “We are proud to have such a forward-thinking partner as we roll the Switchblade out to the world,” he added.
The investment arrives nearly three years after the Switchblade completed its first flight in November 2023. Samson Sky now holds almost 2,700 reservations from more than 50 countries and all 50 U.S. states, representing over $500 million in potential future revenue. The company estimates a retail price around $200,000. However, getting those vehicles into customers’ hands will follow an unconventional path: under FAA rules, the Switchblade is classified as an experimental aircraft, meaning owners must hold a private pilot certificate and personally build at least 51% of the airframe.
Samson Sky plans to let customers complete that 51% portion during a week-long session at its Builder Assist Center. After that, company employees will finish the remaining work. This “assisted build” model is common among kit-plane manufacturers but rare for a vehicle that also functions as a road car.
The Switchblade stands apart from the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft being developed by air-taxi startups like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation. While eVTOLs are designed purely as aircraft—often without road capability—the Switchblade is a dual-purpose vehicle that drives to the airport, converts, and flies. That distinction is both a selling point and a regulatory hurdle, as the Switchblade must meet requirements for both roadworthiness (NHTSA safety standards) and airworthiness (FAA experimental category).
Industry analyst perspective: “The Switchblade occupies a unique niche that could attract adventure-minded pilots who want a garage-kept aircraft with road mobility,” said aviation consultant Sarah Lin. “But the 51% build requirement is a high barrier—most buyers will need mechanical skills or commit to the Builder Assist week. That limits the addressable market compared to a turnkey eVTOL.”
Samson Sky’s approach also sidesteps a major eVTOL challenge: battery range for vertical take-off. The Switchblade uses a hybrid-electric powertrain, giving it a longer cruise range (the company claims hundreds of miles) while avoiding the weight penalties of heavy batteries needed for vertical lift. The vehicle takes off from a runway like a conventional aircraft, which simplifies certification but requires airport access.
The latest $80 million injection provides capital for a dedicated assembly line, tooling, and initial inventory of parts. But Samson Sky still needs to close the remaining $20 million gap—a relatively small sum for a capital-intensive aerospace venture. If that funding arrives, the company could begin delivering customer kits as early as 2027, according to insiders.
Meanwhile, the broader flying car market remains fragmented. Competitors like PAL-V (Netherlands), AeroMobil (Slovakia), and Terrafugia (China) have shown prototypes or limited production, but none have achieved volume. Samson Sky’s existing reservation bank—2,700 paid or refundable deposits—gives it a customer base that most rivals lack.
For U.S. buyers, the regulatory environment is both a hurdle and an advantage: the FAA’s experimental category allows homebuilt aircraft to fly under lighter oversight, but it also limits commercial uses. Samson Sky has clarified that owners can fly the Switchblade for personal transportation but not for hire—unless they obtain additional certification.
Bousfield said the company is already scouting a second facility location for final assembly once production scales. “This is just the beginning. The vehicle is proven, the reservation list is real, and now we have the financial muscle to build it,” he said.
The next step for Samson Sky is to close that $20 million funding round, finalize the joint venture agreement, and break ground on the factory later this year. For a flying car that has been in development for over a decade, 2025 marks the moment where concept meets manufacturing reality.
