XPENG AEROHT completes first pilot overseas flight of flying car 'Land Aircraft Carrier' in Dubai

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 12 local time, XPENG AEROHT, the Asia-based low-altitude mobility solutions provider affiliated to XPENG, hosted the first international showcase of its "Land Aircraft Carrier" in Dubai. During the event, the flying car completed its first public, piloted flight demonstration outside China, marking the company's official entry into the global stage.

At the launch, XPENG AEROHT unveiled its new international brand "ARIDGE," along with a logo inspired by the Chinese character for "飞." The company also announced the completion of its advanced manufacturing base for flying cars in Guangzhou at the end of September, preparing for the mass production and delivery of the "Land Aircraft Carrier" in 2026.

Photo credit: XPENG

A major highlight of the event was XPENG AEROHT's signing of purchase agreements with Ali & Sons Group (UAE), Almana Group (Qatar), AlSayer Group (Kuwait), and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce UAE for 600 units of the "Land Aircraft Carrier." This represents the largest bulk order for flying cars in overseas markets to date and establishes a key foothold for the company in the Middle East.

The demonstration marked the "Land Aircraft Carrier's" public debut in the Middle East. A pilot took off from a helipad and guided the craft toward the Persian Gulf coastline, circling above the water before making a smooth landing. The intelligent cockpit supports both manual and autonomous driving modes. The event also featured a live demonstration of the vehicle's automatic detachment and reattachment between its ground and air modules. Flight operations were authorized after a detailed review by the General Civil Aviation Authority of UAE and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

XPENG AEROHT also showcased its next-generation hybrid flying car prototype, the A868, designed for long-range travel with a flight endurance exceeding 500 km and a top speed of over 360 km/h. The model is expected to make its domestic debut in Guangzhou this November. As part of the company's "three-step" development strategy, the A868 targets long-distance mobility scenarios, complementing the "Land Aircraft Carrier" to form a diversified ecosystem for low-altitude transportation.

The newly launched “ARIDGE” brand—derived from the words "Air" and "Bridge"—symbolizes the company's ambition to serve as a bridge connecting the sky and the ground, reflecting XPENG AEROHT's vision to become a global leader in low-altitude mobility. The logo, inspired by the Chinese character "飞" (fly), uses geometric abstraction to express vertical spatial movement and technological innovation. It embodies the company's mission to "make flying freer" and will appear on future production models of the "Land Aircraft Carrier."

The newly completed Guangzhou manufacturing base stands as the world's first large-scale flying car production facility built around a modern automotive-style assembly line. With an annual capacity of up to 10,000 units, the plant combines aerospace-grade precision with automotive efficiency. Once operational in 2026, it will be capable of producing one aircraft every 30 minutes, laying the groundwork for mass-market commercialization.

Through its partnerships with leading distributors and business groups across the Gulf region, XPENG plans to advance regulatory certification, sales channels, and localized use cases for flying cars. With over 7,000-unit preorders already secured globally, the company is strengthening its strategic presence as it prepares to scale operations in international markets.

According to a report by Boston Consulting Group, the global manned eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) market is expected to reach US$225 billion by 2040, with the Middle East accounting for about US$11.7 billion. Personal-use eVTOLs are projected to make up nearly 85% of that market. With its progressive regulatory environment, strong industrial base, and openness toward futuristic mobility, the region presents a promising frontier for XPENG AEROHT, which aims to formally enter the Middle Eastern market as early as 2027.