Xpeng AeroHT, the flying car unit of the Chinese EV maker Xpeng, has officially rebranded as Aridge. This isn’t just a simple name change; it’s a strategic move, announced at a splashy event in Dubai on October 12th, signaling a big push for more independent development and a global leadership role in the burgeoning low-altitude flight industry.
The new name, Aridge, is a blend of “Air” and “Bridge,” a symbol for the company’s vision of connecting “sky and earth through flight.” The sleek new logo will grace future models, starting with the production version of the Land Aircraft Carrier.
The rebranding reveal was paired with some seriously impressive milestones, cementing Aridge’s presence on the world stage.
– Land Aircraft Carrier’s Overseas Premiere: Aridge showcased its modular flying car, the Land Aircraft Carrier, completing its first overseas public demonstration of a manned flight.
– The Industry’s Largest Overseas Order: The company signed agreements with major groups in the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait for the Middle East’s first batch of 600 flying car orders—a new record for the largest overseas bulk order in the industry! This contributes to a staggering cumulative order book of 7,000 units for the Land Aircraft Carrier to date. Aridge plans to officially enter the Middle East market as early as 2027.
Aridge didn’t stop there. They also gave the world a sneak peek at a new, high-performance product in development: the A868 hybrid long-range flying car. This sleek machine is designed to address long-distance travel, boasting an expected range of over 500 kilometers and a top speed exceeding 360 km/h.
The A868 is set to debut in Guangzhou this November and will work alongside the Land Aircraft Carrier to establish diversified use-cases for low-altitude flight.
To meet the anticipated demand, Aridge is already moving into high gear on the manufacturing front. The company announced the completion of its smart manufacturing base in Guangzhou at the end of September. This isn’t just any factory; it’s being hailed as the world’s first flying car smart manufacturing plant to use modern assembly lines for mass production.
This massive facility has an annual production capacity of 10,000 units. Full-scale production and product delivery are scheduled to start in 2026, with the factory capable of producing one aircraft every 30 minutes once it reaches full capacity.
“The Middle East is both a strategic market and a valued partner,” said Mr. Michael Chao Du, CFO and Vice President of Xpeng AeroHT. “With its growing role in global innovation and forward-looking policies, the region is the ideal launchpad for our globalization journey.”
“With our new brand, a landmark flight in Dubai, and the Land Aircraft Carrier entering mass production, we are bringing the extraordinary into everyday life,” added Mr. Michael Chao Du. “We are leading the low-altitude mobility revolution and invite global partners to work with us to build the ecosystem and open new markets, making the dream of flying cars a reality for people around the world.”
“Freedom to Fly has always been our mission,” said Mr. Zhao Deli, Founder of Aridge (then XPENG AeroHT). “This rebrand marks our leap from vision to reality. With the new identity, we are creating a new category, building a low-altitude aviation ecosystem, and redefining the boundaries of mobility.”
