Xpeng AeroHT’s modular flying vehicle wowed onlookers in Shanghai, building momentum for its planned 2025 commercialization.

Xpeng AeroHT’s “Land Aircraft Carrier” soared into the skies over Shanghai’s Lujiazui district on December 14, marking the first flight of a flying car in the city’s densely packed financial center. The demonstration—equal parts technology showcase and consumer engagement event—turned heads against the iconic backdrop of Shanghai’s skyscrapers and bustling urban landscape.

The modular flying vehicle took off from the Shanghai International Convention Center’s lawn, maneuvering through the city’s low-altitude airspace with precision. It performed a sequence of aerial moves, clearing visual checkpoints framed by Lujiazui’s skyline: the Oriental Pearl Tower and the towering trio of the Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower. The spectacle underscored the machine’s intelligent control systems and stability—critical elements for safe operations in complex urban environments prone to heavy electromagnetic interference and variable weather conditions.

A step forward in flying car validation

Xpeng’s Shanghai demonstration wasn’t a one-off stunt. It follows earlier showings at the Auto Guangzhou and the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, where the Land Aircraft Carrier generated buzz among consumers. The company has wasted no time validating demand: its first 200 priority flight access codes sold out within 48 hours during the November showcase. At the Shanghai event, Xpeng released 100 additional codes, all claimed within an hour. The codes offer early access to test flights, part of the company’s strategy to connect with aviation enthusiasts and potential buyers.

The vehicle, anticipated to be priced between RMB 1–2 million (USD 140,000–280,000), features a modular design—a six-wheeled ground module for road use and a flying module for low-altitude aerial mobility. This adaptability positions it as a hybrid solution for congested cities eyeing next-generation transport alternatives.

Nationwide tour and commercialization plans

Shanghai is just the beginning. Xpeng AeroHT is planning a nationwide tour of demonstration flights and exhibitions to offer more people a chance to see and experience the vehicle firsthand. The company views outreach as a critical step to gather user feedback, fine-tuning the product ahead of its planned commercial launch in 2025 and mass production in 2026.

Xpeng AeroHT’s flying car ambitions reflect its parent company Xpeng’s broader push to expand beyond electric vehicles. At its AI Day event in November, Xpeng showcased advancements in EV charging, autonomous driving, and robotics, with the Land Aircraft Carrier taking center stage.

Urban air mobility, once a sci-fi fantasy, could soon become reality.

#XpengAeroHT #FlyingCar #UrbanAirMobility #Innovation #FutureTransportation