A closer look at Lilium's Partnership with Bao'an District of Shenzhen
Lilium, a leading eVTOL manufacturer, has partnered with the Bao'an District of Shenzhen municipality to establish a regional headquarters and premium eVTOL operations in China. This strategic collaboration aims to leverage Bao'an District's extensive regional knowledge and expertise to facilitate Lilium's entry into the promising Chinese market, projected to account for up to 25% of the global eVTOL industry.
Lilium CEO Hails China Expansion
Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium, expressed his enthusiasm for the company's expansion into China, emphasizing the country's enormous market opportunity for the eVTOL industry. Roewe highlighted Lilium's pride in partnering with the Bao'an District to introduce this innovative mode of transportation to the Greater Bay Area and beyond. The collaboration between Lilium and Bao'an District aims to create a supportive environment for the project's development, with hopes for Lilium to establish sales centers, research and development facilities, and production facilities in the district. This expansion into China marks a significant milestone for Lilium as it works towards creating a sustainable, accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation. With partnerships across Europe, the United States, Brazil, and now China, the company is positioning itself to accelerate the decarbonization of air travel globally.
Bao'an District: A Strategic Partner
Bao'an District brings valuable regional knowledge to its partnership with Lilium, including:
- In-depth understanding of the transportation landscape in the Greater Bay Area, with Bao'an serving as a major hub housing an international airport, ports, and cargo terminals.
- Familiarity with the local industrial landscape, particularly Bao'an's strong manufacturing base and high-tech industry, can inform potential use cases for the Lilium Jet.
- Insights into the regulatory environment, infrastructure, and key stakeholders within the district and broader Shenzhen municipality are crucial for facilitating Lilium's establishment of facilities and operations.
- Knowledge of local population dynamics, with Bao'an's large migrant population potentially shaping demand and adoption patterns for eVTOL services in the region.
Partnership Details
The partnership between Lilium and the Bao'an District involves several key details that will shape the development of eVTOL services in China and the broader Asia-Pacific region:
- Lilium plans to open a regional headquarters in Bao'an District. The goal is to provide sales, services, and support for the Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft in the Greater Bay Area. This local presence will enable Lilium to scale up its operations efficiently and build strong regional customer relationships.
- The Bao'an District has committed to supporting Lilium's market assessment, office and vertiport establishment, and entry into service in China. This support may include navigating local regulations, identifying suitable facility locations, and connecting with key stakeholders in the region.
- The collaboration will initially focus on launching eVTOL services in the Guangdong–Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which has over 85 million people. This densely populated region presents significant opportunities for Lilium to demonstrate the value of its fast, comfortable, and sustainable transportation solutions.
- In addition to the regional headquarters, Lilium may establish sales centers, research and development centers, and production facilities in Bao'an in the future. This expansion would further strengthen Lilium's regional presence and enable the company to tap into Bao'an's robust industrial support and high-tech manufacturing capabilities.
- The Bao'an District possesses unique advantages for developing the low-altitude economy, including a central location in the Greater Bay Area, a wide range of application scenarios, and its role as an aerial gateway and aerospace industry hub. These factors make Bao'an an ideal partner for Lilium as it seeks to establish a strong foothold in the Chinese eVTOL market.
Regional Headquarters Establishment
The partnership involves establishing a regional Lilium headquarters in Bao'an to represent the company in China and the Asia-Pacific region. This local presence will enable Lilium to:
- Facilitate sales, services, and support for the Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft in the region.
- Receive support and a favorable environment from Bao'an District to accelerate Lilium's expansion.
- Potentially establish additional facilities such as sales centers, R&D, and production.
The regional headquarters serves as a strategic entry point for Lilium to establish a strong presence in the Chinese market and efficiently scale up its regional operations.
Leveraging Local Expertise
Bao'an District's central location in the Greater Bay Area and robust industrial support make it an ideal partner for Lilium's eVTOL operations. The district's extensive regional knowledge will benefit Lilium in several key areas:
- Defining launch routes, use cases, and logistics related to the Lilium Jet's entry into service in the densely populated Greater Bay Area, home to over 85 million people.
- Leveraging Bao'an's unique advantages in developing the low-altitude economy, including a wide range of application scenarios for eVTOL technology.
- By collaborating with Bao'an District, Lilium can tap into the region's expertise and infrastructure to build a strong foundation for its premium eVTOL services in China.
Accessing the Chinese Market
The partnership with Bao'an District provides Lilium with a strategic entry point into the Chinese market, projected to account for as much as 25% of the global eVTOL market. Lilium aims to capture a significant share of the Chinese eVTOL industry by establishing a strong presence in this crucial market. The collaboration with Bao'an District will help Lilium navigate the local market, build customer relationships, and gain a competitive advantage over other eVTOL manufacturers looking to expand into China.