SANTA CLARA, CA—Stellantis is investing an additional $55 million in Archer Aviation Inc. The start-up plans to build battery-powered air taxis at a new factory in Covington, GA.

The company expects to open the high-volume manufacturing facility later this year. Archer’s goal is to “establish a factory that can support its planned commercial ramp up by leveraging the expertise of Stellantis as its contract manufacturer.”

Its Midnight aircraft is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) that can hold a pilot and four passengers. The vehicle is designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights.

“Few things rival the excitement of seeing a dream take flight,” says Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. “I applaud the innovation, expertise and hard work of the engineering and manufacturing teams from Stellantis and Archer. With this additional investment in Archer, we remain on course for a future where freedom of mobility extends beyond today’s roads.”

“The commitment by Stellantis to Archer has been unrivaled, from its foresight to provide the manufacturing expertise and capital needed to accelerate Archer’s business objectives, to the strategic vision and steadfast support from Stellantis…,” adds Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer Aviation. “Together, we’re working to redefine urban transportation, opening new worlds of opportunity for citizens across the globe by providing more efficient access to people, places and events across the regions they live in.”