On Thursday, Japan’s IT Media reported that competition in China’s low-altitude economy is intensifying, with a focus on developing flying cars.
According to the report, since March, when the Chinese government identified the low-altitude economy as a new growth driver, local governments have announced related policies throughout the year.
The low-altitude economy refers to all economic activities conducted below 1,000 meters using manned or unmanned aerial vehicles, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and drones. It is a broader concept than urban air mobility (UAM), encompassing aircraft manufacturing, infrastructure development, and service provision. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) estimates the industry will grow to about 2 trillion yuan ($274 billion) by 2030.
In response, Chinese companies are increasingly entering the low-altitude economy sector. Xpeng Huitian, a technology firm under the electric vehicle brand Xpeng and headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, unveiled its first flying car, “Land Aircraft Carrier,” at an airshow in November. At the time, Xpeng Huitian’s brand manager, Chen Ping, expressed strong confidence, stating that their design was the only one of its kind in the world and had no competitors.
The Land Aircraft Carrier is the world’s first modular flying car that combines an airplane and an automobile. Unlike traditional eVTOLs, it can also be a hybrid pickup truck to reach takeoff points. Transitioning from driving mode to flight mode takes just 2–3 minutes, with manual and automatic flight options. It has a flight endurance of approximately 20 minutes, a flight range of about 20 kilometers, and a flight altitude of 50–100 meters. Once converted back to vehicle mode, it can be recharged up to five times.
Xpeng Huitian aims to deliver the Land Aircraft Carrier in the first half of 2026. While the exact price has not been finalized, it is expected to be under $273,000.
According to the company, it has already secured orders for approximately 2,000 units from corporate and public sectors, with 200 pre-orders from private customers also sold out.
However, a key obstacle is obtaining the Type Certificate, CAAC’s aviation safety certification required for commercial flights. Discussions with aviation authorities regarding passenger licenses are also ongoing, raising questions about whether mass production will be achievable.
Local competition within China is also fierce. According to reports published in March and May by Aviation Industry Network, a Chinese aviation industry information site, China accounts for 50% of all eVTOL development models worldwide. Among approximately 250 Chinese companies producing drones and eVTOLs, Guangdong Province leads with 44 firms, followed by Sichuan Province (29) and Beijing (28).
Another Chinese manufacturer, EHang, gained an early advantage in October by becoming the first in the world to obtain a Type Certificate for its autonomous eVTOL, paving the way for commercialization. Guangzhou Automobile and Geely Automobile have also entered the flying car business.
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