XPeng Inc. (XPEV) is making waves in the world of electric vehicles, and now, it’s taking flight with its flying car division, Xpeng Aeroht. The company recently unveiled its modular flying car, the Land Aircraft Carrier, and outlined ambitious plans for mass production and pricing.
Xpeng aims to begin mass production and deliveries of the Land Aircraft Carrier in 2026, with a price tag reaching up to RMB2 million yuan ($280,000), according to company founder and president Zhao Deli. This ambitious goal is backed by plans to showcase the flying car’s capabilities at two major events: the Zhuhai airshow in November, where it will conduct its first public manned flight, and the Guangzhou auto show, also in November.
The updated production schedule marks a slight shift from earlier plans. Pre-orders were initially set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, with mass production and deliveries slated for the fourth quarter of 2025. Now, pre-sales are anticipated for late 2024, with production and deliveries commencing in 2026.
To support this ambitious project, Xpeng Aeroht’s Guangzhou factory is on track to complete construction and produce its first prototype by July 31, 2025. Construction is set to begin between late September and early October of this year. The factory is aiming for an annual production capacity exceeding 10,000 units, with Zhao stating that the company aims to surpass the combined output of all global eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) manufacturers.
Beyond the flying car venture, XPeng continues to make strides in the electric vehicle market. In August, the company delivered 14,036 Smart EVs, representing a 3% year-over-year increase and a 26% rise from the previous month. For the first eight months of 2024, XPENG’s total deliveries amounted to 77,209 Smart EVs, indicating a 17% year-over-year increase.
The news of Xpeng’s flying car development and its continued strong EV performance has fueled a positive market reaction. XPEV shares are trading higher by 6.21% to $8.55 at last check on Tuesday. This upward trend suggests investor confidence in XPeng’s ability to navigate the evolving automotive landscape and deliver on its innovative vision for the future of transportation.
