Chinese EV maker XPENG debuts split-type flying car in Dubai

China

Chinese EV maker XPENG debuts split-type flying car in Dubai

2025-10-22 17:10 Last Updated At：21:27

A flying car developed by Chinese company ARIDGE has made its international debut in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a bold step toward a new era of transportation.

Named 'Land Aircraft Carrier,' the aircraft comprises a ground vehicle, referred to as the "mothership", and a detachable air module. The air module fits neatly into the vehicle, emerges automatically at the touch of a button and can be flown autonomously or manually with little technical experience needed.

Its developer ARIDGE, previously known as XPENG AEROHT, is taking smart mobility to new heights with this groundbreaking vehicle that is set to change the way people travel. This flight is marking several global firsts, according to the company's CFO and VP Michael Du.

"This is a first from our company's perspective. We have officially launched our product overseas and introducing our, [which] to my perspective, is an exciting product to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area and to the whole world. And secondly, this introduction also includes the first ever overseas manned demo flight here in this area, demonstrating all the potential they can do," Du said.

The "Land Aircraft Carrier" is the world's first mass produced flying car. It is also a testament to Chinese innovation and ARIDGE's vision to build safe, intelligent, low altitude mobility products that give people the freedom to fly.

When asked why the company chose Dubai for this launch, Du highlighted its openness to new technologies.

"The UAE or GCC area has been over the last decades embracing new technology, especially advanced air mobility. So I think this mindset is very important for the product's success. Secondly, it has the right environment, like application scenarios, use cases and of course the large affluent customer base. I think all these combined together is why we are here," he said.

Du also highlighted China's advantages in the emerging low altitude economy.

"Our government's determination to coordinate all the forces to evolve the regulation together with product, that's a first factor. Second, actually, given eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) as electric in nature, actually, this gives China a significant advantage. As you know, China's electrical vehicle industry has evolved extremely well over the last decades, and taken a lot of market shares not only in China, but globally," Du said.

ARIDGE projects that the global passenger market for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles will be worth 225 billion U.S. dollars by 2040.

South Africans rally in solidarity with Venezuela against U.S. aggression

Demonstrators from civil groups, labor unions and other communities in South Africa rallied outside the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg on Friday, denouncing U.S. unilateral military actions against Venezuela and voicing solidarity with the Latin American nation.

They gathered along the street in front of the consulate, carrying banners that read "Hands Off Venezuela" and "Stop Imperialism," chanting slogans against U.S. hegemony and aggression.

"We are here to protest the U.S. threats to global peace, the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro Moros of Venezuela, which was done in violation of international law, in violation of territorial integrity of Venezuela, of course, in violation of national sovereignty of Venezuela," said Solly Afrika Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party.

In the early hours of Jan. 3, the United States carried out a military strike against Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, taking them to the United States.

Some protesters said the crisis in Venezuela shows how geopolitical struggles have direct and immediate effects on ordinary people's lives.

"Venezuela belongs to the people of Venezuela and nobody else. For American belligerent and colonial aggression, quite frankly, is not just something very distant. Never before have questions of geopolitics been of immediate and direct relevance and direct and immediate impacts on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people, as you are seeing today," said Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA).

Placards at the rally blended English and Spanish slogans, while some demonstrators sang liberation songs from South Africa's anti-apartheid era to express solidarity. Passing motorists slowed in front of the consulate, honking in support.

Defying the summer heat, the crowd remained spirited and resolute, their chants echoing along the street in a clear call for an end to foreign interference and respect for Venezuela's sovereignty.