Aridge Begins Mass Production of Flying Cars: XPeng’s New Frontier in Air-Ground Mobility
The future of personal mobility is finally taking shape in China. Aridge — the rebranded “flying car” division of XPeng Motors (formerly XPeng AeroHT) — has officially announced the start of mass production for its revolutionary modular transport system Land Aircraft Carrier. The company has also revealed the first serially produced prototype, marking a major milestone in the evolution of hybrid ground-air travel.
A New Era of Air-Ground Integration
Aridge’s Land Aircraft Carrier represents a bold vision where road and air transport merge seamlessly. The system consists of two components:
A six-wheeled hybrid minivan, powered by a sequential hybrid drivetrain with an onboard generator.
A detachable two-seater eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft), capable of vertical flight and powered by the vehicle’s generator for recharging.
This pairing allows the driver to travel by road to the edge of a city or a remote site and then take off directly into the air, dramatically reducing travel time.
From XPeng AeroHT to Aridge
The brand transformation from XPeng AeroHT to Aridge — a blend of “air” and “bridge” — symbolizes the company’s mission to bridge the gap between terrestrial and aerial mobility. The project is heavily backed by He Xiaopeng, the founder and CEO of XPeng Motors, ensuring strong synergy between electric vehicle innovation and next-generation flight technology.
In 2024, Aridge built a new factory in Guangzhou, entirely dedicated to the production of its eVTOL aircraft. The facility was completed in less than a year and is already operational, featuring advanced robotics and automated assembly lines. According to company officials, the plant will be capable of producing up to 10,000 aircraft annually once it reaches full capacity.
Production, Preorders, and Global Ambitions
Aridge reports more than 7,000 preorders for the Land Aircraft Carrier to date — including over 600 from the Middle East, which is set to be the brand’s first overseas market. Initial deliveries in China are scheduled for 2026, with the international rollout expected in 2027.
The company also announced that early adopters in China will have the opportunity to test the Land Aircraft Carrier along a dedicated tourist route in the country’s northwest, offering scenic flight experiences combined with on-road exploration.
Expected Price and Market Position
While the company has not yet disclosed full technical specifications, the expected price range has been discussed publicly. Initially, XPeng AeroHT suggested a target price of around 1 million yuan, but later co-founder Zhao Deliclarified that the production version would remain under 2 million yuan (≈ $280,000).
This places the Land Aircraft Carrier in a competitive niche — more expensive than conventional luxury SUVs, but dramatically cheaper than private helicopters or aircraft, positioning it as the first semi-affordable flying car for private owners.
Key Technical Highlights (Expected Specifications)
Although the final specifications are still under wraps, insider reports and early prototypes suggest:
Powertrain: Sequential hybrid (gas generator + electric drive)
Range (ground): Up to 700 km
Range (flight): 250–300 km per charge
Seating capacity: 2 passengers in eVTOL + 4–6 passengers in minivan module
Charging system: eVTOL recharged from the carrier’s generator
Maximum flight speed: Estimated 130–150 km/h
Takeoff system: Vertical take-off with foldable rotors for compact storage
The Middle East Connection
The Middle East is expected to become one of Aridge’s most important international markets. The company officially presented the Land Aircraft Carrier in Dubai earlier this year, positioning it as a solution for luxury tourism, rapid inter-city transport, and private mobility in regions with vast desert landscapes.
Given the UAE’s progressive stance on future mobility and autonomous vehicle regulation, Dubai may well be among the first cities in the world where flying cars will be allowed to operate commercially.
Aridge and XPeng: The Vision Beyond the Ground
XPeng Motors has long been at the forefront of electric mobility innovation, from its intelligent driver-assistance systems to autonomous driving features. With Aridge, the company extends this vision beyond the road — toward a fully integrated 3D transportation ecosystem, combining smart EVs, AI-driven flight control, and modular energy systems.
According to He Xiaopeng, “The Land Aircraft Carrier will redefine how humans move — not just across cities, but across dimensions.”
Future Prospects
With the completion of the first production prototype and the rapid pace of factory automation, Aridge is poised to lead the global eVTOL revolution. If the company can meet safety, certification, and infrastructure challenges, it may achieve what dozens of aerospace startups have only promised — true personal air mobility at scale.
