The Guangzhou-based automaker marks a global milestone as its modular “Land Carrier” rolls off the assembly line, blending road mobility with vertical flight.
GUANGZHOU (Market Insider) — In a historic leap for the automotive and aerospace industries, Xpeng Motors’ subsidiary Aridge has rolled out the first mass-produced modular flying car — dubbed the Land Carrier — from its new factory in Huangpu District, Guangzhou, marking the launch of the world’s first large-scale flying car production line, according to the company’s announcement on Tuesday.
The inaugural unit will undergo extensive test flights and performance validation before large-scale customer deliveries begin next year. The 120,000-square-meter facility is purpose-built to manufacture modular electric flying vehicles that can separate into two components: a ground “mother car” and an airborne flight module.
The ground module — a three-axle, six-wheel, all-wheel-drive platform with rear-wheel steering — is designed for both urban and off-road use. Measuring 5.5 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 2 meters high, it fits standard parking spaces and can be driven with a regular license. The flight module, meanwhile, is a six-rotor electric aircraft made from lightweight carbon-fiber composites, featuring a 270-degree panoramic cockpit for enhanced visibility.
“This marks a key milestone not just for Xpeng but for the global mobility industry,” a company spokesperson said. “The Land Carrier integrates road and air mobility in a single, production-ready platform.”
A Factory Built for the Future of Urban Air Mobility
The facility comprises five specialized workshops — composite materials, propulsion, assembly, painting, and final testing — each equipped with advanced automation and AI-driven quality control.
- The composite workshop produces up to 300 tons of carbon-fiber components annually, the highest output in the civilian aviation sector.
- The propulsion workshop features the world’s first integrated assembly line for electric rotors and flight motors, with automated component-level traceability.
- The painting line applies an advanced 8C6B multi-layer coating system, while the final assembly area integrates nine core subsystems and performs AI-assisted cloud calibration for autonomous flight control and balance testing.
Autonomous or Manual Flight—Your Choice
The Land Carrier supports both manual and fully autonomous flight modes. In manual mode, pilots can operate the aircraft with a single hand using a compact joystick. In autonomous mode, the vehicle can plot intelligent flight paths, take off, navigate, and land automatically at the push of a button, using 3D imaging and visual docking assistance.
Sustainable Production Meets High Ambition
The plant operates on solar power and incorporates energy-saving equipment and a digital energy management system to minimize carbon emissions. At full capacity, the facility will produce up to 10,000 units annually, starting with an initial output of 5,000 flying cars per year.
Xpeng’s achievement positions China at the forefront of the global “flying car” race, outpacing Western competitors in turning urban air mobility from concept to production. The Land Carrier, capable of both driving on city streets and taking off vertically, could redefine personal transportation — blurring the line between car and aircraft in what may become the next great revolution in mobility.
