Aridge reports 7,000 pre-orders for a $300,000 two-seat aircraft, with final certification still ahead
XPeng executives say the flying car could carry paying customers in China by summer 2027. Limited deliveries to partners could begin within months. The TF story aggregates reporting from Euronews and CnEVPost, with additional perspectives from Notebookcheck.
XPeng is the sole Chinese maker likely headed to market. No rivals are featured.
What’s Happening & Why It Matters
What XPeng Says Is Coming
Michael Du, vice president and CFO of XPeng (@XPengMotors), spoke at Web Summit Lisbon. Euronews reports Du called the vehicle a commercial model and not a demo aircraft. TF covered the event in its Web Summit report.
Euronews says travel could start in summer 2027. China’s aviation authorities have approved the aircraft for limited use. A wider rollout follows after the first partner deliveries.
Summer 2027 is a target and not a launch date. Limited use in China is a long way from open sales.
Price, Orders and Design
Euronews puts the price at $300,000 (€270,000). Euronews counts more than 7,000 pre-orders, most from China and some from the Middle East. Buyers include private fliers, air tourism firms and rescue services. CnEVPost puts the price below 2 million yuan, or about $292,850.
The system has two parts, per CnEVPost: a ground vehicle and a two-seat aircraft. The ground vehicle runs on an 800-volt extended-range platform, with a combined range above 1,000 km. The ground vehicle charges the aircraft for five to six flights. Drivers in China need a standard Class C licence on the road.
At full capacity, the Guangzhou line can build one aircraft every 30 minutes, per CnEVPost.
The ground vehicle makes the flying car usable on the road. Sales will depend on landing sites and air rules.
Certification Is the Gate
The Civil Aviation Administration of China granted a type inspection authorisation, per Euronews. Its test pilots completed all test items. XPeng is in final type certification. Test flights covered sea level, high altitude, cold, heat, wind and rain.
Notebookcheck cites XPeng president Brian Gu, who told Reuters in April 2026 series production needs Chinese aviation approval. Regulators treat the aircraft as an aircraft and not a car. Sales abroad need approval from extra aviation authorities.
Safety certification decides the date. Sales in Europe and the US will need separate approvals.
Where XPeng Wants to Sell
Du names the Middle East and Southeast Asia as the clearest first markets. CnEVPost says Aridge talks with buyers in the Middle East, Indonesia and Malaysia. Du calls Europe attractive but cites hurdles: an affordable launch product and suitable landing sites. XPeng would enter the US if regulations allow.
CnEVPost reports Aridge raised almost $200 million (about €178 million) in March 2026. Per CnEVPost, a Hong Kong IPO is in preparation. A second-generation model for Europe, the US and China is in development.
My take: A $300,000 price limits the first market to wealthy buyers and fleets. A cheaper second model will decide mass adoption.
TF Summary: What’s Next
XPeng will report final type certification and the first partner deliveries. Regulators in the Middle East and Southeast Asia will set the export pace. Europe and the US trail until certification and landing-site rules arrive.
MY FORECAST: XPeng will hand over its first flying cars to partners in China before 30 June 2027. Aridge will confirm a Middle East delivery deal before the end of 2027.
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