Xpeng Aeroht, a subsidiary of Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV), has commenced the construction of its flying car manufacturing base in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The manufacturing site will focus on producing the flying body portion of Xpeng Aeroht’s modular flying car, with a projected annual capacity of 10,000 units.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the flying car manufacturing base took place on October 27, marking a significant step towards achieving mass production and delivery by 2026. Situated in the Guangzhou Development Zone, the facility spans an initial area of approximately 180,000 square meters, making it the world’s first flying car factory to implement a modern assembly line for mass production.
By combining the high-quality standards of aircraft manufacturing with the scalability of automobile production, Xpeng Aeroht aims to ensure better consistency in manufacturing, lower costs, and faster deliveries compared to the traditional aerospace industry. The modular flying car’s flying body segment recently completed its first manned test flight and is set to make its public maiden flight at the China Airshow on November 12.
Xpeng Aeroht plans to offer the modular flying car for pre-sale by the end of this year, adhering to its previously outlined timeline. The company, founded in 2013 and majority-owned by Xpeng and its chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng, envisions a development path for its flying cars that includes the eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) flying car and the modular flying car.
The modular flying car comprises both a flying car and a parent vehicle capable of recharging the flying car. With a targeted price of no more than RMB 2 million yuan ($280,880), Xpeng Aeroht is set to begin pre-sales of the modular flying car by the end of 2024, with mass production and deliveries scheduled for 2026. Despite official pre-sales not yet being initiated, the company has already secured a number of pre-orders for the product.
Xpeng Aeroht’s partnership with the Guangzhou Development District authorities, signed on July 4, will provide support in various areas such as land use, financing, and flying car application scenarios. The company’s commitment to innovation and advanced technology is evident through the operation of its first pilot plant in Hualong Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou, which serves as a key facility for prototyping, process validation, and performance testing of flying cars.
As Xpeng Aeroht continues to make strides in the development and production of flying cars, the future looks promising for the integration of aerial mobility into everyday transportation. Stay tuned for more updates on Xpeng Aeroht’s groundbreaking initiatives in the flying car industry.
