Mass Production of Flying Cars Begins for Both Road and Sky
Maximum Speed of 177 km/h, Price Exceeds $300,000 per Unit
Safety and Regulatory Challenges Remain
US aviation startup Alef Aeronautics announced that, after more than a decade of development, it has begun mass production of the world's first "flying car." With flying cars, which had previously remained at the concept and prototype stages, now entering the production phase with the intention of delivery to actual customers, the entire future mobility industry is paying close attention.
Test drive scene of Model A Ultralight. This model is powered 100% by electricity and can fly in the air at a maximum speed of approximately 177 km/h through multiple propellers installed around the driver's seat. Alef Aeronautics
On December 15 (local time), the UK’s Daily Mail reported that Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef, officially announced the start of production for the first flying car on December 9. The vehicle now entering production is the "Model A Ultralight." The Model A Ultralight has a total weight of approximately 385 kg and is legally classified as an "ultralight low-speed vehicle," similar to a compact electric car. It is powered 100% by electricity and can fly at a maximum speed of about 177 km/h through multiple propellers installed around the driver's seat. Its most notable feature is its ability to perform vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) without a runway. Alef emphasized its potential as a next-generation personal mobility solution, stating, "It enables efficient movement even in urban areas, avoiding severe traffic congestion."
US aviation startup Alfre Aeronautics announced that it has begun production of the world's first flying car. Daily Mail
The vehicles will be hand-built over several months at Alef’s factory in Silicon Valley, California. The pre-order price is set at 300,000 dollars (approximately 440 million Korean won), and initially, a select group of customers will receive priority delivery for pilot operation before commercialization is gradually expanded. Considering safety issues, Alef has made it mandatory for customers receiving the vehicle to complete training on compliance with aviation laws and on maintenance. This reflects the fact that the vehicle, beyond being just a car, essentially carries the risks and management responsibilities of a personal aircraft. According to the company, about 3,500 pre-orders have been received so far, with total contract value reaching approximately 1 billion dollars (about 1.4 trillion Korean won).
Test drive scene of Model A Ultralight. This model is powered 100% by electricity and can fly in the air at a maximum speed of approximately 177 km/h through multiple propellers installed around the driver's seat. Alef Aeronautics
The concept of a "flying car" dates back to the early 20th century. Companies such as Terrafugia in the United States, PAL-V in the Netherlands, and AeroMobil in Slovakia have all showcased prototypes on multiple occasions, but very few have reached the stage of full-scale commercialization. The biggest obstacles have been safety and regulations. Flying cars must comply with both road traffic laws and aviation regulations, and there are a variety of risks, including the danger of collisions during low-altitude flight, mechanical failures, and pilot error.
In fact, there have been numerous accidents during the development of flying cars. In the past, a prototype from AeroMobil crashed during a test flight, with the pilot barely escaping using an emergency parachute. In the 1970s, an American engineer developing a flying car was killed in a test flight accident. More recently, during a rehearsal for an overseas air show, two vehicle-type flying machines collided and crashed midair, resulting in injuries and fueling ongoing debates about the safety of flying cars.
US Focuses on Regulation and Technology, China Races Ahead with Mass Production
Alef Aeronautics' announcement of mass production is being regarded as a major milestone in the history of flying cars. However, experts point out that there is still a significant gap between pilot operations in limited environments and widespread commercial adoption. This is due to the many challenges that remain, including cost burden, safety certification, pilot training, and the establishment of urban air mobility (UAM) systems.
While the United States is moving closer to commercialization based on its technological capabilities and regulatory framework, China is accelerating the pace with a focus on mass production. Xpeng AeroHT, a subsidiary of Xpeng, has completed a dedicated flying car factory in Guangdong Province, China, and began trial production earlier this month. The annual production capacity is about 10,000 units, and 5,000 pre-ordered vehicles for the Middle East and other regions are scheduled for delivery starting next year. Last month, Wang Dan, Vice President of Xpeng AeroHT, unveiled a six-wheel vehicle and the two-seater detachable flying car "X2" at the Daegu Future Mobility event. Tesla has also expressed its intention to launch a flying car, but has yet to reveal any specific model or timeline.
Flying cars are seen as a combination of electric vehicle and urban drone technologies. The keys to commercialization are lightweight batteries, stable flight control systems, and the sophistication of autonomous flight algorithms. The global industry is already competing to secure these core technologies. GKN Aerospace supplies lightweight airframe structures and electrical wiring systems, while Umbra Group is expanding its collaboration with major flying car manufacturers by providing actuators and motor control devices. Morgan Stanley in the United States projects that the flying car market will reach 300 billion dollars by 2030 and exceed 1 trillion dollars by 2040. Whether Alef's challenge will mark the "beginning of future transportation" or remain another costly experiment is still uncertain. However, the fact that flying cars, long confined to the realm of imagination, have now reached actual production lines symbolically demonstrates the opening of a new chapter in human mobility.
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