SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 15, 2025 - XPENG AEROHT has completed a public manned flight of its modular flying car, the "Land Aircraft Carrier," in Dubai and signed purchase agreements totaling 600 flying cars across the Middle East, as the company accelerates overseas expansion and rebrands as ARIDGE.
Dubai manned flight pairs technology validation with commercial traction
The October 12 milestone combined a fully manned demonstration flight with what the company described as record-breaking regional demand, lifting total global orders to over 7,000. The event was witnessed by regional dignitaries, members of the local Chinese community, and more than 100 media outlets, signaling both regulatory interest and market visibility as the "low-altitude economy" shifts from concept showcases to procurement discussions.
Bulk purchase agreements establish early channel partners in the GCC
As part of the announcement, XPENG AEROHT entered into purchase agreements with the UAE-based Ali & Sons Group, Qatar's Almana Group, Kuwait's ALSAYER Group, and the Chinese Business Council in the UAE. The company framed the 600-unit total as the largest overseas bulk order in the flying car sector and said the region will serve as its first international market, with consumer sales expected as early as 2027.
From a B2B perspective, bulk orders at this stage can serve as a de-risking mechanism: they validate buyer intent while providing demand signals that support supplier onboarding, service planning, and training infrastructure.
Certification progress defines the timeline to scaled operations
The company said it is making rapid progress in certification. In March 2024, the Type Certificate (TC) application for the flight body (codename: X3-F) of the Land Aircraft Carrier was accepted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). In May 2025, the CAAC also accepted the Production Certification (PC) application for the airframe, marking the start of regulatory review for the mass-production system of XPENG AEROHT's flying car products.
For operators and institutional buyers, these milestones matter because certification pace typically sets the ceiling for where and how early aircraft can be used-whether for controlled demonstrations, limited routes, or scenario-based pilots.
Industrial scale shifts focus to supply chain, quality systems, and delivery readiness
The Land Aircraft Carrier is described as the world's first modular flying car now in mass production, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. This milestone is supported by the completion of an "intelligent factory" for mass-produced flying cars in Guangzhou, China, which the company said is capable of producing up to 10,000 units annually and blends aviation-grade standards with automotive-scale efficiency.
As production ramps, buyer diligence will typically concentrate on repeatability and lifecycle support, including:
- maintenance programs and spare parts availability
- operator training pathways for manned-mode use
- reliability data from extended test campaigns
- service network readiness across the GCC
Middle East strategy links mobility ambition to policy and partnership momentum
The Dubai flight followed a September 10 achievement in Ras Al Khaimah, when XPENG AEROHT became the first Chinese flying car company to secure an overseas manned aircraft Special Flight Permit from the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), alongside a cooperation agreement with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority.
"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."
Rebrand to ARIDGE signals a broader commercial identity beyond prototypes
XPENG AEROHT said it has rebranded as ARIDGE-derived from "Air" and "Bridge"-to reflect its purpose of connecting sky and earth and to support a market-facing identity as it scales. The company also highlighted its operating depth, citing a team of 1,200 R&D specialists, over US$600 million invested, seven generations of products developed, and 965 patents filed globally and in China, including 675 invention patents.
For full product information on the Land Aircraft Carrier, visit https://www.aridge.com/x3. (aridge.com)