More than 100 startups exist in the urban air mobility space, and some of the best-funded companies are seeking auto partners to transform high hopes into tangible fleets.

Regulators are pushing ride-hailing services to drive toward electrified fleets. Earth Rides, a Nashville startup, is already there.

This issue of Shift was a passion project for the staff, who saw major automakers showing interest in electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles and flying-car ventures beginning to win government certification.

A look at how automakers have dabbled in aviation throughout the years.