Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD on Monday denied reports that it is developing a flying car, following the circulation of online claims suggesting the company was preparing to launch an aerial vehicle under its premium Yangwang brand.
Li Yunfei, BYD’s general manager of brand and public relations, said the reports were inaccurate. “We have no such plans or arrangements. In the face of online traffic, we must exercise restraint,” Li wrote in a post on social media platform Weibo.
See also: BYD Raises Pay for R&D Staff as China Seeks to Tame EV Sector Competition
The clarification came after a short video circulated online over the weekend, claiming that BYD planned to introduce a flying car named “Ufly.” The video alleged the vehicle had completed cross-sea flight tests and received airworthiness certification from Chinese regulators. Some online posts also claimed the vehicle had flown 136 kilometers between Zhuhai and Shenzhen in 23 minutes.
BYD has not announced any such project, and industry observers noted that certification for crewed aerial vehicles typically requires years of testing and regulatory review. The company has not disclosed any plans to enter the flying car or electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) segment.
While BYD has ruled out involvement, several Chinese automakers are actively exploring low-altitude mobility technologies. According to a November 2024 report by the China Low Altitude Economic Alliance, China could have as many as 100,000 eVTOL aircraft in operation by 2030.
See also: BYD Rolls Out 15 Millionth New Energy Vehicle, Marking Growth Milestone
Xpeng’s aviation unit, AeroHT, has established a manufacturing base in Guangzhou and is targeting mass production of its modular flying car in 2026. Other automakers, including Chery, GAC Group, Changan Automobile, and FAW Group, have also disclosed research or development initiatives related to flying vehicles.
Earlier this month, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) said it had set up a laboratory dedicated to research into flying vehicle technologies.