By Abhijith Ganapavaram

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 24 (Reuters) - Germany-based

Lilium plans to begin studying possible air-taxi

assembly sites in the U.S. later this year with a goal of having

a plant up and running by early 2029 to get a foothold in the

one of the world's largest markets, its CEO said.

Lilium plans to finalise the site next year and expects to

invest "250 million to 300 million plus" euros ($271-$325

million) in the final assembly line and improving production,

Klaus Roewe told Reuters.

But the company "needs financial support for sure" to get

the assembly line up and running, added Roewe, a former Airbus

veteran.

As of the end of March, Lilium had 102 million euros of

liquidity, but that was before it raised $114 million in capital

that is needed to achieve its first manned flight.

Lilium is also in talks to raise money via loans with the

help of German and French governments, with the latter tied to

Lilium developing and expanding its industrial footprint in

France.

Lilium is one of the many entrants in the electric vertical

take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft market that has attracted

the attention of airlines and automakers.

Executives and analysts at the Farnborough Airshow noted

that the industry has numerous technological and regulatory

challenges to address before it can fly passengers and achieve

profitability - something that has not been lost on some

investors.

Lilium's U.S.-listed shares have fallen 21.7% to 92 cents

this year, while peers Archer Aviation ( ACHR ) and Joby

Aviation ( JOBY ) are down 25.73% and up 0.45%, respectively.

Founded in 2015, Lilium is targeting the regional transport

market with a 250 kilometer-range (155 miles) jet that can carry

up to six passengers, unlike many rivals which are mainly

looking at shorter trips between cities and suburbs.

Lilium is aiming for its jet to enter service in 2026.

($1 = 0.9239 euros)