• Hongqi plans to commercialize manned flight by 2035.
• Hongqi plans to build a flying car production plant in Shenzhen.

China FAW Group's Hongqi brand will launch its first flying car, or Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) product, in 2029, according to a report by local media outlet Xuanyuan Business Review today.

Hongqi brand flying car business CEO Li Dan announced the plan at a forum in June, saying that Hongqi plans to achieve commercial manned flight by 2035, according to the report.

FAW began researching flying cars in 2023 and established a subsidiary focused on the field in June this year.

At the 2025 Shanghai auto show in late April, Hongqi unveiled its first flying car product, the Tiannian 1, a modular flying car consisting of a flight body, cockpit, and engine chassis.

The flight body plus the cockpit form an aircraft, while the two cockpits plus the engine chassis form a car.

The Tiannian 1 has an air range of over 200 kilometers and a maximum speed of 150 kilometers per hour, with the goal of completing its maiden flight by the end of this year.

Hongqi plans to build a flying car production plant in Shenzhen, Li said. On February 13, FAW and Shenzhen signed a framework agreement.

Hongqi's flying car products are positioned as high-end transportation, with safety, efficiency, reliability, and low cost as their core selling points, according to Li.

For travel distances of 300 to 1,000 kilometers, high-speed rail is the most suitable option, while general aviation aircraft dominate for distances over 1,000 kilometers, Li said.

Flying cars are the ideal choice for travel distances of 100 to 300 kilometers, according to Li.

Several Chinese automakers have already developed flying cars or announced similar plans.

Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) subsidiary Xpeng Aeroht has begun construction of its flying car manufacturing base, with the goal of achieving mass production and delivery by 2026.

Chery announced in June that it would unveil its first eVTOL in October, at which point it would begin the certification process for the eVTOL.

GAC Group and Changan Automobile are also developing their own flying car products.

By 2030, China may have 100,000 eVTOLs in households or as air taxis, according to a November 2024 report by the China Low Altitude Economic Alliance.