BYD Denies Plans to Enter Flying Car Market Amid Industry Rush
BYD has officially dismissed speculation that the world’s largest electric vehicle maker intends to launch a flying car, clarifying its strategic focus remains grounded in expanding its global footprint.
Li Yunfei, General Manager of BYD’s Brand and Public Relations Division, issued a statement on Dec. 29 explicitly rejecting rumors circulating in the market. "The news that 'BYD will launch a flying car' is false information," Li wrote. "BYD has no such plans or arrangements." He added a cautionary note regarding the pursuit of internet traffic, urging restraint.
The denial comes as BYD shares showed resilience in the market. On Dec. 29, BYD’s A-shares rose as much as 1% during intraday trading before closing up 0.2%, while its Hong Kong-listed stock gained more than 3%.
The clarification sets BYD apart from a growing cohort of domestic competitors aggressively pursuing the low-altitude economy. Major Chinese automakers including Guangzhou Automobile, Chongqing Changan, and Zhejiang Geely have all announced entries into the sector, bolstered by supportive industrial policies.
Several rivals have advanced to product development or airworthiness certification stages. Xpeng’s affiliate, XPeng Aeroht, began trial production at its manufacturing facility in November, rolling out its first "Land Aircraft Carrier." GAC Group’s GOVY AirCab has entered the certification process with mass production targeted for 2026. Similarly, Changan Automobile is collaborating with EHang to develop flying cars, aiming for a 2026 product release.
Despite the industry momentum, the sector faces lingering challenges regarding the completion of airworthiness standards and the establishment of operational scenarios.
While market observers note that BYD’s robust supply chain integration capabilities could technically support an entry into robotics or aviation, the company’s current strategy prioritizes overseas expansion over diversification into nascent technologies. This focus addresses slowing growth in the domestic new energy vehicle market by targeting higher-margin, unsaturated international territories.
The strategy appears to be yielding results. In the first 11 months of 2025, BYD’s total sales reached 4.18 million vehicles, an 11.3% increase year-on-year. Notably, overseas sales from January to November exceeded 910,000 units—more than double the company's total export volume for the entire year of 2024. In November alone, overseas shipments surpassed 130,000 units, representing a 297% surge compared to the same period last year.