This website uses cookies
More information
Navigate directly to favourite company, aircraft and sector pages with our tracker feature.

PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:

Groundbreaking partnership in clean air and road transport for the Philippines - LuftCar and eFrancisco Motors sign a strategic MOU
Friday, 26 January 2024

LuftCar LLC is delighted to announce a strategic partnership memorandum of understanding with eFrancisco Motor Corporation (eFMC) of Philippines in investment, development, integration, deployment, branding, and marketing of:

- LuftCar air vehicles for airlifting eFMC built road vehicles platform;

- LuftCar designed hydrogen propulsion technologies for eFMC developed road vehicle platforms;

For defense, regional transport, recreation, healthcare, and other applicable industries. The partnership is exclusive to the Philippines market.

Both companies agree to collaborate in the development of the LUFT - PINOY eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) powered by Hydrogen. LuftCar will lead the air vehicle prototype development, while eFMC will provide the PINOY vehicle chassis. The flying prototype is expected to be completed by end of 2024, with first applications in defense and cargo. LuftCar will manufacture this cutting-edge aircraft in Camarines Norte in partnership with eFMC in Philippines.

The eVTOL technology is tailored to meet the unique demands of the Philippines, an archipelago with over 7,101 islands. The applications of this technology extend across various sectors, including public transportation, last mile delivery, tourism, emergency response, disaster relief, law enforcement, defense, and border patrol.

Santh Sathya, CEO of LuftCar says “Philippines and Southeast Asia have been of great strategic importance for LuftCar. Our flying and road vehicle concept is tailor made for connecting the archipelagos and serving cargo, air ambulance, tourism, and regional transportation verticals. Our hydrogen propulsion will serve long distance and heavy payload carrying needs in the region, LuftCars have a big role to play in defense in the region enabling ship to base and base to outpost missions. We are excited about partnering with eFMC, whose leadership has a clear vision for clean energy transportation for Philippines. eFMC has the resources to support LuftCar in bringing meaningful air transport to the people in the region”.

"As a physicist, my mind has been trained to believe that if you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room," remarked Elmer Fancisco, CEO of eFrancisco, "I enjoin great minds to join us and come together to bring our world’s technological advances to a whole new level."

Camarines Norte, with eFMC's 200-hectare Special Economic Zone, is declared as Ground Zero for this technological revolution. The Governor of Camarines Norte, Dong Padilla extends full support to make the Philippines the epicenter of this groundbreaking cause. LuftCar intends to mass produce the air frames in partnership with eFMC in the region.

This collaborative effort is not only a technological milestone but also a testament to the spirit of innovation and global unity. The LUFT PINOY eVTOL project marks a significant leap towards a sustainable and advanced future.

Both companies were brought together by HDEX – the World's First Hydrogen Exchange. Elmer Francisco and Santh Sathya are both enlisted as advisors to HDEX.

Contact details from our directory:
LuftCar LLC Airframer
Related aircraft programs:
LuftCar eVTOL