Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng is making significant strides in the realm of future mobility, announcing plans for full-scale deliveries of its "flying cars" by 2027. The company has already garnered substantial interest, securing over 7,000 orders for its innovative aerial vehicle, primarily within China. This development positions XPeng as a key player in the emerging market for personal air transportation.
XPeng President Brian Gu recently confirmed that early deliveries of the flying car are anticipated to commence in late 2026, with large-scale production slated for the following year. The vehicle, formally known as the "Land Aircraft Carrier," is a modular system developed under XPeng's sub-brand Aridge (formerly AeroHT). It uniquely combines a six-wheeled ground unit with a detachable two-seat electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, designed to offer versatile travel options.
The company is actively working to obtain necessary approvals from Chinese aviation authorities to facilitate these operations. As the concept of flying cars transitions from science fiction to reality, questions regarding public acceptance and trust are emerging. As posed by Pandaily on social media, "Flying cars are finally getting real—would you trust one from #XPeng? ✈️🚗 #FutureMobility #FlyingCar #EV" highlighting the public's curiosity and the need for robust safety and regulatory frameworks.
Beyond flying cars, XPeng is expanding its "Physical AI" strategy to include humanoid robots, with mass production expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. Gu also highlighted the "tremendous potential" for increased cooperation with German automaker Volkswagen, which recently began mass production of an EV model jointly developed with XPeng. The company aims for over 50% of its revenue to come from outside China within the next five to ten years, underscoring its global ambitions.
These advancements underscore XPeng's commitment to pushing the boundaries of intelligent mobility. While the path to widespread adoption of flying cars involves overcoming regulatory hurdles and building public confidence, the significant number of pre-orders indicates a strong market appetite for these futuristic transportation solutions.
