South Korean automotive giant Hyundai insists it remains committed to the advanced air mobility segment despite the ongoing turmoil at US subsidiary Supernal, which has paused development of its planned SA-2 electric air vehicle and seen senior leaders depart.
Last month, it emerged that Supernal chief executive Shin Jai-won – who had led the California-based unit since 2021 – had resigned to take up an advisory post elsewhere within Hyundai, with his exit swiftly followed by that of chief technology officer David McBride.
News outlet Tech Crunch reports that chief strategy officer Jaeyong Song, chief safety and quality officer Tracy Lamb, and chief of staff Lina Yang have also left the company.
In the meantime, David Rottblatt, head of business development, has taken over as interim chief operating officer until a new chief executive is appointed.
But there is little clarity on the future of Supernal’s developmental S-A2 electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Work on the project has been paused and Hyundai offers no committment that it will ever be brought to market.
“As we transition to new leadership, we have taken the opportunity to strategically review our programme’s progress and next steps to ensure alignment with our long-term goals,” it says.
Nonetheless, the company insists it retains “unwavering confidence in the strategic importance of future aviation mobility within its broader innovation roadmap” and says it “remains strongly committed” to Supernal.
“This leadership transition is a strategic move to accelerate commercialisation and enhance product quality,” it adds.
Beyond the first flight of a demonstrator earlier this year, there has been little apparent progress on the S-A2 – scant reward for the $1.77 billion Hyundai had spent on Supernal as of May this year.
“Future investment decisions will be made following a thorough review of the business status and strategic needs,” it adds.
