Flying by car? Xpeng does it before Tesla

The Chinese manufacturer Xpeng has just outpaced Tesla by launching the production of its flying car.

Xpeng Motors, through its subsidiary Aridge, officially inaugurated this week in Guangzhou the very first factory for mass production of a flying car. Its name: Land Carrier. This modular vehicle, half car half aircraft, realizes what many, including Tesla, had only sketched out in their PowerPoint presentations. A historic milestone for the mobility of the future… and a slap in the face for Elon Musk.

The concept is based on a surprisingly pragmatic approach with a ground module – a kind of futuristic six-wheel-drive SUV – to which an aerial module equipped with six electric rotors is attached. The whole can take off vertically, fly autonomously, then become a classic road vehicle again, parkable in a standard space. All this with a panoramic cockpit and simplified controls operable with one hand.

Xpeng’s factory already stands as an engineering marvel. It assembles each “Land Carrier” by combining composite workshops, propulsion, painting, and final integration, all under optimized digital and energy supervision. Ultimately, Xpeng plans to produce up to 10,000 units annually, with one vehicle completed every thirty minutes.

Beyond the media buzz, Xpeng here demonstrates mastery of a sector that Tesla has never dared to industrialize. Musk did mention a flying Roadster by the end of the year, but as of today, no operational prototype exists. The Chinese manufacturer, meanwhile, aims to begin first deliveries as early as 2026.

You might be interestedin this article:

Innovation

• 04/11/2025 12:01

86 Years Ago, Air Conditioning Arrived in Cars!

Between science-fiction dreams and industrial pragmatism, China may have just taken the lead in tomorrow’s mobility. And this time, it is Tesla that is looking at the sky… from the ground.

ALSO READ: A Tesla that flies and a future dominated by Artificial Intelligence