Joby Aviation is on the brink of a major deal. The electric aircraft company has signed a tentative Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabian conglomerate Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) to distribute up to 200 electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, valued at about $1 billion.
If finalized, this partnership could fast-track Joby’s entry into the Saudi market. Executive chairman Paul Sciarra stated, "A question that folks have asked is, how are you going to monetize, and how quickly is that going to happen? This shows… a way to get to scale earlier for lower cost."
Details are sparse, but sources say more concrete information will come later this year. This marks one of the first distributor partnerships for an eVTOL startup. Joby also aims to launch in Dubai next year, with plans for a U.S. rollout afterward. 
Sciarra emphasized ALJ’s extensive infrastructure. The company has deep ties with Toyota, which recently pumped $250 million into Joby. Sciarra noted ALJ’s expertise in sales support, pilot training, and maintenance as key factors for success.
"That’s all going to be critical to actually making sure that the sales are not just cut, but are successful over the long arc," Sciarra told TechCrunch.
ALJ’s 80-year history gives it connections with the Saudi government and local projects like the Red Sea and AlUla. This relationship could help Joby not only sell aircraft but also create a sustainable operation.
Joby’s moves come amid rising U.S.-Saudi cooperation in tech and energy, with significant investments from both sides recently reported.
Expect updates on this promising partnership soon.
