Aridge, formerly known as XPeng AeroHT, has reported a successful completion of a test batch of its modular aerial car called the Land Aircraft Carrier. With the pre-production phase now complete, the company is already making mass-market eVTOLs for private clients, promising to begin deliveries in 2026.
The exact pricing and most technical parameters remain to be revealed. What we do know is that the Land Aircraft Carrier consists of two main parts: it is a six-wheeled minivan with a serial-hybrid powertrain that carries a two-seat electric VTOL charged from the same powertrain. A new factory had to be constructed in Guangzhou to produce the aerial part, and Aridge boasts that it managed to do so in 12 months. It also posted a video on its social pages providing a glimpse at this vast industrial complex with its multiple facilities and mainly robotic personnel.
Aridge was founded with some financial support from XPeng Motors CEO He Xiaopeng and is formally still considered a subdivision of that company’s automotive business. However, it became its own brand in October this year, announcing the Land Aircraft Carrier at a dedicated event in Dubai. Apparently, “Aridge” is a portmanteau of “air” and “bridge”.
Once it reaches its full project capacity, the Guangzhou factory is expected to deliver up to 10,000 such VTOLs per year. In the meantime, the company claims it has received over 7,000 reservations from interested buyers, including 600 from the Middle East region. Middle East will be the first export market for Aridge, with the company hoping to start deliveries there in 2027. Before that, customers in China will be able to fly their Land Aircraft Carrier along a dedicated tourist route in northwestern China. This controlled safe route was secured by the manufacturer several days ago and will serve as the temporary destination for VTOL pilots as they learn to control their vehicles.
