(Yicai) Jan. 3 -- Chinese electric car startup Xpeng expects to achieve mass production of its roadable aircraft, which is suitable for short-distance travel in cities, by the fourth quarter of 2025, and they will retail for over CNY1 million (USD140,884) each.

Xpeng unit Guangdong Xiaopeng is teaming up with Guangdong Huitian, which is owned by Xpeng’s founder and Chairman He Xiaopeng, to develop, manufacture, sell and service flying cars, the Guangzhou-based company said yesterday, citing the deal penned by the two parties that day.

Xiaopeng will be responsible for making the ground modules and final assembly of the flying cars, while Huitian will develop the roadable aircraft and finance Xiaopeng's capacity expansion.

Once mass production starts, Xiaopeng will only sell the flying autos to Huitian, which will then retail the vehicles to customers through Xpeng’s distribution network.

The Xpeng X2 can stay airborne for up to 25 minutes, is able to reach a maximum altitude of 1,000 meters and can reach speeds of 130 kilometers an hour. The carbon-fiber roadable aircraft appeared at major car shows last year and made its maiden overseas flight in Dubai in October 2022.

Xpeng also continues to make great strides in its land-bound vehicles and unveiled its seven-seater electric car the X9 on Jan. 1. Priced at between CNY359,800 (USD50,690) and CNY419,800, the firm received 5,000 orders for the auto that day. Xpeng has also extended its XNGP advanced driver assistance system to cover 243 cities, up from 52 last year.

Editor: Kim Taylor