Xpeng’s UK story has only just begun with the G6 SUV, yet in China the brand is preparing something far more radical.
The Xpeng Land Aircraft Carrier is slated for customer deliveries in 2026 – and the firm insists it’s no concept car fantasy.
Developed by Xpeng subsidiary Aridge, formerly AeroHT, the machine is described as the world’s first modular flying car.
In reality, it’s a six-wheeled van carrying a detachable electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft in its rear compartment.
According to Sven De Smet, head of brand and marketing for Xpeng Europe, production readiness is no bluff.
He recently visited the facility building pre-production models and claims 7,000 orders are already on the books, with deliveries due to begin later this year ahead of a broader rollout in 2026.
Before customers take flight, Xpeng’s leadership team will. The company’s CEO has mandated that senior management – including the CFO – must personally fly the aircraft before handover begins, underlining confidence in the project’s safety and usability.
Technical details remain limited, but the four-seat 6×6 carrier features rear-hinged doors, rear-wheel steering and a range-extender powertrain capable of more than 1,000km.
It also recharges the aircraft it transports. That aircraft is effectively a six-rotor eVTOL pod with single-lever control, automated take-off, autonomous navigation and multiple safety redundancies.
For UK observers, it’s a striking reminder that while European markets debate EV infrastructure, China’s tech-led carmakers are already eyeing the skies.
