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Ann Cao

Chinese aviation start-up AutoFlight, backed by electric vehicle (EV) battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), is emblematic of mainland China’s ambitions in the flying car market, part of the country’s broader push to dominate the low-altitude economy.
The Shanghai-based company on Thursday unveiled Matrix, a five-tonne (11,000lbs) class electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which it described as the largest of its kind in the world after completing a flight demonstration at a testing facility in Kunshan, a city neighbouring Shanghai.
The aircraft, with a 20-metre (65-foot) wingspan and dimensions of 17.1 metres long by 3.3 metres high, comes in two variants for passenger transport and heavy-duty logistics. It can carry 10 passengers, a leap in scale for an industry that has largely focused on smaller airframes weighing between 1.5 tonnes and 3 tonnes with capacities of four to six passengers.
AutoFlight joins peers including Ehang, Xpeng’s flying car unit Aridge and Geely’s Aerofugia as China’s major players in commercial eVTOL applications. The country is moving quickly to set standards for domestic makers and operators, aiming to regulate the skies as the low-altitude economy takes shape.
Earlier last week, 10 government departments, including the market regulator and transport ministry, jointly released guidelines to establish basic standards by 2027 and more than 300 standards by 2030. These will cover five core areas: aircraft, infrastructure, air traffic management, safety supervision and application scenarios.

Founded in 2017, AutoFlight was currently focused on cargo transport, but saw strong potential in passenger flights, said Xie Jia, senior vice-president of AutoFlight, in an interview.
Passenger aircraft accounted for 70 per cent of AutoFlight’s total orders, even though certification was still in progress, according to Xie. He expected the company to secure certification for passenger use within one to two years.
For commercial application, eVTOLs must obtain three approvals: Type Certificate for design, Production Certificate for manufacturing, and Airworthiness Certificate for individual aircraft. AutoFlight has begun taking orders for future delivery of its passenger aircraft while awaiting full certification.
The company’s earlier models include CarryAll for autonomous logistics and Prosperity for air travel. The two-tonne CarryAll cargo aircraft has secured the three certificates in China, making it the only tonne-class eVTOL globally to achieve regulatory approval.
In a recent milestone, CarryAll conducted the world’s first cross-city cargo flight for a one tonne-class eVTOL, transporting blueberry juice and parcels from Anqing city to Hefei city in the central province of Anhui, a 160km (99 miles) journey completed in one hour.

AutoFlight’s rapid scaling is supported by its partnership with CATL, the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer, which holds a 38 per cent stake and provides direct support for battery research and development.
This year is seen as critical for eVTOL makers to turn prototypes into products, as local governments and vehicle makers push the low-altitude economy closer to commercial reality. China could see its first flying car carry paying passengers in 2026, with seven manufacturers expected to start deliveries before the end of the year, according to research company CCID Consulting.
For AutoFlight, the long-term goal is to democratise the skies. Xie said aerial travel costs could eventually be comparable to premium ground-based ride-hailing services, though large-scale applications were still three to five years away. “The truly massive growth will occur when the commercialisation of passenger aircraft begins,” Xie said.
The company is also setting its sights on overseas markets, particularly regions with weaker infrastructure. “For cargo transport, demand is greater overseas because many countries have less-developed infrastructure,” he said, citing island nations and mountainous regions as examples.
Xie identified Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East as key expansion targets. “Our growth will be extremely rapid,” he said. “We will be one of the most advanced players in the industry.”


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AutoFlight describes eVTOL aircraft Matrix as the largest of its kind in the world. Photo: Handout

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Xie Jia, senior vice-president of AutoFlight, says the company is setting its sights on overseas markets. Photo: Ann Cao

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CATL-backed AutoFlight debuts Matrix, targeting global expansion, as Beijing moves to set standards for domestic eVTOL makers and operators


CATL-backed AutoFlight debuts Matrix, targeting global expansion, as Beijing moves to set standards for domestic eVTOL makers and operators.


AutoFlight unveils world’s largest flying car as China races to lead low-altitude economy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}CATL-backed AutoFlight debuts Matrix, targeting global expansion, as Beijing moves to set standards for domestic eVTOL makers and operators

CATL-backed AutoFlight debuts Matrix, targeting global expansion, as Beijing moves to set standards for domestic eVTOL makers and operators