(Yicai) Feb. 14 -- Shares in Zhejiang Tiancheng Controls surged by the exchange-imposed limit today after the Chinese vehicle seat manufacturer said it is teaming up with Chinese auto giant GAC Group’s air taxi subsidiary to develop parts and materials, including seats, for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Tiancheng’s stock price [SHA:603085] closed up 10 percent at CNY11.80 (USD1.62) today.

Tiancheng is partnering with Govy Technology to develop integrated seats, interior components, smart cockpits, and structural parts for eVTOL aircraft, as well as related materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum alloys, the Tiantai-based company said yesterday. The tie-up also includes obtaining airworthiness certification and initiating mass production of these components.

Govy is a low-altitude aviation startup set up by Guangzhou-based GAC at the end of last year and has already obtained a special flight permit from the Civil Aviation Administration of China for one of its multi-purpose low-altitude aircraft. Another model designed for intercity low-altitude travel has already hit the market.

Tiancheng mainly produces car seats, but its UK subsidiary, Acro Aircraft Seating, is a well-known supplier of aircraft seats and counts Boeing and Airbus among its clients.

Tiancheng had previously expressed its intention to branch into the flying car seating market to explore opportunities in the burgeoning low-altitude economy.

Editor: Kim Taylor