Hyundai has slashed 80% of staff from its futuristic flying EV company in California — in yet another blow for business in the Golden State.
Supernal, which makes vertical take-off prototypes, revealed last week it was axing 296 jobs at plants in Orange County and Fremont and at a test site in Mojave.
The $1.7 billion startup, which relocated from Washington DC to California three years ago, said it would consolidate operations to its Irvine headquarters.
A spokesman told the Orange County Register: “This decision is a strategic pivot to ensure our staffing and cost structures are optimized for the long-term delivery of our market-aligned aircraft design.
“Hyundai Motor Group remains committed to the Advanced Air Mobility business as part of its future mobility vision, and Supernal will continue to serve as the group’s dedicated AAM execution arm for aircraft development.”
They added the focus “remains on stabilizing the company, shaping a new business model, and developing a commercially viable aircraft.”
Hyundai reshuffled the leadership structure at Supernal in September and has been struggling with test flights for autonomous EVs in Mojave.
After 10% of its workforce was laid off last summer, 80 remain.
It is the latest blow for business in California as rafts of companies scale back in the Golden State amid high taxes.
Last week the Post reported major wine manufacturer Gallo was closing a large Napa Valley production facility, wiping out nearly 100 jobs.
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