Toyota Motors is in the final stages of a decision (as of 4th March) to participate in Mitsubishi Heavy Industry’s project to develop a small, Japanese passenger jet aircraft, reports the Asahi Shinbun today. It is expected that Toyota Motors will invest around ¥10,000,000,000 in the company set up by lead investor Mitsubishi Heavy Industry to develop the jet plane. There is a chance that with this project Toyota will decide to make its first foray into aircraft construction.
The government has been waving the flag for the idea of a domestic passenger aircraft industry but the projected development costs of ¥150,000,000,000 have attracted some controversy. With Toyota’s involvement – backed up by its abundant capital reserves and reputation as the world’s leading car maker – this project to develop the first domestic aircraft since the propeller passenger plane YS11 has gained some real momentum.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, already on the receiving end of advance orders from airline companies, plans to give the final ‘go’ to the project at the end of March. Following that, in April, with the raising of capital, Mistubishi HI will set up the company which will develop and construct the aircraft. Of the initial capital of ¥100,000,000,000, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry is expected to put up 60%, with the remainder being raised from a broad range of domestic aircraft-related makers, banks, etc. (including other Mitsubishi group companies).
The jet aircraft development project, known as ‘MRJ’ – Mitsubishi Regional Jet – has been in the research stage since 2003. The aim is to see the MRJ in service in 2012. There are two designs, one featuring seats for 70 passengers, the other with seats for 90. At least 30% of the aircraft is to be constructed using the super-light carbon-fibre compounds for which Japan is well-known, aiming to make significant improvements in fuel efficiency.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, in addition to around 100 advance orders already in the bag, reports that JAL and ANA, as well as a number of European and American makers, have expressed their interest in the project. The contract for jet-engine construction has already been given to the American company Platt & Whitney and in February 5 companies were decided on as main aircraft-system suppliers; the project is gathering pace.
The Asahi reports that Toyota Motors, in addition to its automobile business, has shown great interest in robotics and aircraft construction; records show that its founder was researching aircraft design in the 1930s. In 1991, Toyota set up an installation for the strategic development of aircraft design, but it was discontinued after an accident.
