Hyundai WIA to Build Landing Gear for Vertical Aerospace’s Valo eVTOL

Why It Matters

Securing a specialized landing‑gear partner accelerates Vertical's path to certification, reducing technical risk and strengthening its supply chain for the emerging urban air mobility market. The collaboration also showcases Hyundai WIA's expansion into aerospace, diversifying its portfolio beyond automotive components.

Key Takeaways

• Hyundai WIA will design and produce custom landing gear for Valo eVTOL
• Partnership leverages Stirling Dynamics' 30‑year aircraft certification expertise
• Vertical secures multiple Tier‑1 suppliers, moving toward Critical Design Review
• Landing gear focus on lightweight, high‑strength materials for urban air mobility
• CDR completion will lock supply chain and enable certification testing

Pulse Analysis

The eVTOL sector is moving from concept to commercial reality, and Vertical Aerospace is positioning itself as a front‑runner with the Valo platform. By aligning with Hyundai WIA, a subsidiary known for precision manufacturing in the automotive world, Vertical gains access to advanced lightweight structures that are critical for maximizing payload and range in dense urban environments. This partnership also signals a broader trend of traditional automotive suppliers leveraging their expertise in high‑volume, high‑precision production to serve the nascent air‑mobility market.

Hyundai WIA’s role goes beyond simple component supply; it will own the end‑to‑end design and production of the landing‑gear system. Leveraging Stirling Dynamics’ three‑decades of certified aircraft experience ensures the gear meets stringent safety and performance standards. The focus on lightweight, high‑strength alloys and composite materials aligns with the industry’s push for efficiency, reducing overall aircraft weight while maintaining structural integrity during vertical take‑off and landing cycles.

The partnership’s timing is strategic, as Vertical approaches its Critical Design Review—a pivotal milestone that freezes the aircraft’s design baseline and solidifies the supply chain. Completion of the CDR will trigger certification testing and pave the way for commercial production. With a robust network of Tier‑1 partners now in place, Vertical is better positioned to meet regulatory requirements and accelerate market entry, potentially reshaping urban transportation and creating new revenue streams for both aerospace and automotive manufacturers.