Xpeng’s Aridge starts mass production of modular electric flying car

Xpeng subsidiary Aridge has begun series production of its modular electric flying car at a new 120,000-square-metre facility in Guangzhou. The plant combines automotive and aviation manufacturing processes and is designed for large-scale output of up to 10,000 units per year.

Aridge land aircraft carrier guangzhou cropped — Image: Aridge

As previously reported, the new production plant in Guangzhou was completed at the end of September. According to Aridge, it is the world’s first “intelligent” flying car factory, featuring automated production lines for large-scale manufacturing. Now, the first unit has rolled off the production line.

“Our first aircraft has rolled off the intelligent manufacturing facility, validating the world’s first modern flying car manufacturing system,” Aridge wrote on LinkedIn. The initial aircraft will be used for test flights to verify performance, system reliability, and production processes before customer deliveries planned for 2026.

The manufacturing site covers 120,000 square metres and integrates five key workshops: composites, propulsion, assembly, paint, and final integration. The facility applies standardised production methods similar to those used in automotive manufacturing while meeting airworthiness requirements. The takt time is 30 minutes, and full capacity is planned at 10,000 units per year.

Image: Aridge

The “Land Aircraft Carrier” consists of two modules: a land vehicle and a detachable aerial unit. The ground module uses a three-axle, six-wheel layout with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering. It carries the eVTOL. First unveiled in October 2023, the Land Aircraft Carrier can recharge the aircraft between flights. Its all-wheel-drive “ground module” seats up to five passengers, while the “air module” accommodates two.

The aerial module is an all-electric six-rotor aircraft with a carbon-fibre fuselage and dual-ducted rotors. The system is designed to reduce structural weight and improve efficiency. The aircraft can operate in manual or autonomous flight modes.

Aridge plans to launch operations in the Middle East as early as 2027. As part of the Dubai event, the company carried out its first manned demonstration flight outside China. Aridge says it has already received around 7,000 pre-orders for its modular “Land Aircraft Carrier” flying car.

linkedin.com, carnewschina.com