Xpeng to take flying car subsidiary Aridge public
Unlike many competitors, Xpeng Aeroht (as the company is still known in China) or Aridge does not describe its products as flying taxis. Instead, it refers to them as flying cars. This distinction not only highlights the company’s connection to its parent organisation but also underscores that these aircraft are not solely intended for on-demand taxi services. They are also designed for private ownership.
Xpeng Aeroht operates a 120,000-square-metre flying car factory in Guangzhou, whose construction began in 2024. The facility is now complete, and test production has already begun. The factory is designed to produce one aircraft every 30 minutes, with an annual capacity of 10,000 units. The first customer deliveries of the inaugural mass-produced flying car are scheduled for late 2026. Technically, these aircraft are classified as eVTOLs—electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles that can operate like a drone or helicopter.
The first model is a modular flying car called the Land Aircraft Carrier, which features a three-axle transporter with an integrated eVTOL. The concept was first presented in October 2023. The vehicle is designed to recharge the aircraft between flights. The all-wheel-drive “ground module” accommodates up to five passengers, while the “air module” seats two. Additionally, Aridge is developing the larger hybrid-eVTOL model A868, unveiled last autumn, which is intended for longer flights with multiple passengers. The A868 is currently in the testing and development phase.
All these activities, of course, require funding. According to news agency Bloomberg, Aridge—or Xpeng Aeroht—is now preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong. Investment banks JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley have reportedly already been engaged to prepare the listing, which could take place later this year. Xpeng Aeroht last raised $100 million US dollars from investors last year, following $150 million US dollars in 2024.
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