Shanghai (Gasgoo)- At the China Auto Blue Book Forum 2025 held on June 13 to 15, Li Dan, head of the flying car project at Chinese car manufacturer FAW Group's Hongqi brand, unveiled for the first time the brand's development roadmap and technological progress in the flying car industry. According to the timeline disclosed, Hongqi plans to launch its first flying car in 2029, with the goal of achieving commercial passenger flight operations by 2035.
FAW Group began its research and development efforts in flying vehicles in 2023. As a key milestone, the company signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement on June 13, 2025, with Shenzhen's Dapeng New Area, to establish a new subsidiary — FAW Qiyi (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. — headquartered in Dapeng New Area, Shenzhen city. The new venture focuses on R&D, manufacturing, testing, and future operations of flying cars — signifying Hongqi's formal entry and strategic commitment to the emerging sector.
FAW Group's first proof-of-concept flying car, dubbed “Hongqi TianNian No.1”, adopts an innovative split-body design composed of a ground vehicle and an aerial module, capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The Hongqi TianNian No. 1 flying car boasts an aerial range exceeding 200 kilometers and a top speed of 150 kilometers per hour, according to official data. The prototype made its public debut at the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, and the 2025 International Automobile & Supply Chain Expo (Hong Kong). Notably, the Hongqi TianNian No. 1 flying car is expected to complete its maiden flight later this year.
Reflecting on the flying car project's origins, Li Dan noted that R&D began during the tenure as director of the National Key Laboratory for High-end Vehicle Integration and Control. At the time, the team was simultaneously working on two advanced vehicle concepts: a lunar rover — which Li hinted that there would be further developments soon — and the flying car. The success of the flying car initiative ultimately led to the rapid formation of a dedicated company in Shenzhen, part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
As for milestones of the flying car project, Li Dan emphasized that ensuring fundamental performance was the immediate priority. “The goal is to achieve stable flight by the end of 2025,” Li said, with initial efforts focused on verifying the aircraft's safety, stability and reliability. Artificial intelligence applications, Li added, were not a core focus at this stage. Ahead of its envisioned commercial passenger flight operations in 2035, the Hongqi TianNian No. 1 flying car will first be deployed in cargo transport scenarios.
