Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor is investing $500 million in Joby Aviation to support the U.S. electric air taxi company’s launch of commercial passenger services, which are slated to begin as soon as next year.

Toyota, an existing Joby partner, apparently likes the progress Joby is making. The automaker has agreed to invest an additional $500 million through the purchase of two equal tranches of Joby stock, with the first expected to close later this year and the second in 2025.

Toyota Motor said Wednesday it will invest another $500 million in Joby Aviation to support certification and commercial production of Joby’s electric air taxi. The Japanese automaker's new funding is on top of $394 million in prior investments it made in Joby and is part of a strategic alliance on commercial manufacturing.