Chinese Automaker FAW Hongqi Plans to Debut Flying Car by 2029
Chinese Automakers Race Towards Commercial Flying Cars
China is at the forefront of the flying car revolution, with several key players actively developing vehicles for short-range urban flights. As of mid-2025, two major automakers, GAC Group and XPeng Motors, are leading the charge, nearing commercialization and production milestones for their flying cars.
GAC Group unveiled its all-electric flying car, the Govy AirCab, at the 2025 Shanghai auto show. The AirCab, powered by eVTOL technology, is currently undergoing trial flights, with plans for mass production and customer deliveries in 2026. The vehicle boasts Level 4 ground autonomy, advanced safety measures, and smart cabin controls, aiming to serve the emerging low-altitude urban air mobility market.
XPeng Motors' subsidiary, XPeng AeroHT, has made significant strides with its modular flying car concepts, including the "Land Aircraft Carrier." This innovative vehicle can drive on roads and attach a flying eVTOL module. XPeng recently secured $250 million in funding to accelerate development, with plans for mass production in 2026. They have built a factory designed for 10,000 units per year and started large-scale flight tests with a dedicated pilot team as of August 2025.
Other traditional automakers, such as Hongqi, Chery, and Changan Automobile, have not publicly confirmed specific timelines or products at this advanced stage. However, they are not far behind. Hongqi, for instance, is positioning its flying cars as high-end transportation, with safety, efficiency, reliability, and low cost as its core selling points. The brand plans to launch its first flying car, the Tiannian 1, in 2029.
FAW Group began researching flying cars in 2023 and established a subsidiary focused on the field in June this year. Meanwhile, Chery announced it would unveil its first eVTOL in October and begin the certification process for the eVTOL at that time.
Looking ahead, China may see 100,000 eVTOLs in households or as air taxis by 2030, according to a November 2024 report by the China Low Altitude Economic Alliance. The future of urban mobility in China is undeniably exciting, with several Chinese automakers leading the way in the development and commercialization of flying cars.
- By 2026, XPeng Motors, following the footsteps of GAC Group, plans to deliver their flying car, the XPeng Aircraft Carrier, into the market, marking a significant advancement in the production of electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) technology.
- In comparison, Hongqi, another Chinese automaker, aims to join the flying car revolution in 2029, with its high-end offering, the Tiannian 1, boasting a focus on safety, efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
- As the demand for EVTOLs in China continues to grow, FAW Group, having started research in 2023 and establishing a subsidiary in June 2025, is gearing up to contribute to the anticipated 100,000 EVTOLs expected in households or as air taxis by 2030, further propelling the advancement of EV technology in urban mobility.
