Japanese startup A.L.I. Applied sciences launched the XTurismo flying bike in October, 2021. Unsurprisingly, skeptics got here crawling out of the woodwork. To silence the naysayers, the corporate launched a tour for the XTurismo in Could, 2022.
Debuting on the Hataraku Norimono Daishugo automobile exhibition, the prototype took to Japan’s world-famous Suzuka Circuit. From there, the flying bike lifted off in Monaco for the High Marques Monaco on June 8-12, 2022. Whereas these appearances proved the XTurismo’s viability, we weren’t fairly satisfied by A.L.I. Applied sciences’ listed specs.
It looks as if buyers aren’t offered on the model’s prospects both. In September, 2022, particular goal acquisition firm (SPAC) Pono Capital introduced its intention to merge with A.L.I. At that time, the Japanese startup was valued at $600M. That estimate didn’t maintain up as soon as the blank-check firm merged with A.L.I. Applied sciences on February 6, 2023.
Underneath the merger, the 2 entities mixed to create Aerwins Expertise Inc (AWIN). Nonetheless, 99 % of shareholders opted out of the newly-formed firm, redeeming their Pono Capital inventory as a substitute. Consequently, Aerwins Expertise misplaced 56 % of its worth proper out of the gates, with share costs falling to $5.
Although A.L.I. founder Komatsu Shuuhei stays the CEO, chair, and board member of Aerwins Expertise, it looks as if buyers aren’t keen to gamble on the XTurismo any longer. That improvement is much from sudden, because the limited-edition flying bike will price $77,000 and solely attain 62 mph.
The mass divestment isn’t a shock both. SPACs have turn out to be more and more risky since early 2021. As of 2022, the common SPAC withdrawal price spiked to greater than 80 %. Not even Harley-Davidson electrical bike offshoot LiveWire might keep away from such a destiny when it merged with AEA-Bridges Affect Corp. in September, 2022.
Whereas this doesn’t spell the tip for the flying-motorcycle maker, it grounds the corporate’s speedy plans for the XTurismo.
