HT Aero
HT Aero (XPeng AeroHT / Aridge) is a Guangzhou-based Chinese eVTOL developer and majority-owned subsidiary of XPeng Motors, building modular flying cars and full tilt-rotor aircraft for high-net-worth consumers and aviation operators, with mass production targeted for late 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersTianhe, China
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What HT Aero does
HT Aero, also known as XPeng AeroHT and rebranded internationally as Aridge, is a Guangzhou-headquartered Chinese urban air mobility (UAM) company developing smart electric manned flying vehicles. It is a majority-controlled subsidiary of XPeng Motors (XPeng Inc.), with R&D presence also in Silicon Valley. The company builds eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft distinguished by a modular hybrid architecture: the Land Aircraft Carrier pairs a road-capable ground vehicle with a detachable eVTOL aircraft module, and the A868 is a high-speed long-range full tilt-rotor flying car. Technology is centered on electric propulsion, a rotor fold-away system, and modular integration that allows a single platform to function as both road and air vehicle.
The commercial model is currently pre-revenue. Primary monetization is expected from one-time sales of eVTOL aircraft to high-net-worth individual consumers (260 pre-orders received) and, secondarily, to commercial aviation and tourism operators. A complementary service stream — flying experience services across 5 nationwide Flying Camps — provides early customer engagement and recurring transaction fees. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the firm targets mass production at a 120,000 square metre Guangzhou factory engineered for 10,000-unit annual capacity, with first customer deliveries slated for late 2026.
HT Aero has raised approximately $1 billion in cumulative equity financing across multiple rounds since 2021, making it the largest funded player in Asia's manned low-altitude flight sector. Capital sources include parent XPeng Inc., IDG Capital, 5Y Capital, Hillhouse Capital, Sequoia China, Gaorong Capital, HSG China, and Fortune Capital, with additional state-affiliated investors in Guangzhou. JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley have been engaged to prepare a confidential Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales at aviation exhibitions, an XPeng-ecosystem partnership channel, and its own Aridge/AeroHT direct-sales platform. The company is pre-commercial but scaling aggressively toward certification and mass production.
HT Aero firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HT Aero
- Legal name
- Guangdong Huitian Aerospace Co Ltd
- Website
- https://aeroht.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- HT Aero (XPeng AeroHT / Aridge) is a Guangzhou-based Chinese eVTOL developer and majority-owned subsidiary of XPeng Motors, building modular flying cars and full tilt-rotor aircraft for high-net-worth consumers and aviation operators, with mass production targeted for late 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HT Aero industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Air Transportation (481), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Air Taxi & Urban Air Mobility (eVTOL) Operators (TLAFAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional) (IMABADAH), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO), Helicopter Air Taxi & Urban Air Mobility (eVTOL/VTOL) Passenger Services (THABAGAC)
Keywords
Where HT Aero is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tianhe
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
HT Aero business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- eVTOL Flying Car Sales: Direct sales of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to customers, with mass production and delivery anticipated in late 2025-2026. The company has received 260 pre-orders for its flying car.
- Flying Experience Services: Company offers flying experience services through 5 Flying Camps nationwide in China, providing flight scenario experiences to customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | eVTOL Flying Car - Pre-orders |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
HT Aero product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HT Aero (also known as XPeng AeroHT / Aridge) designs, develops, and manufactures smart electric manned flying vehicles for urban air mobility. Its product portfolio includes the Land Aircraft Carrier modular flying car and the A868 full tilt-rotor flying car, complemented by flying experience services operated through five Flying Camps across China.
Product overview
HT Aero (also known internationally as Aridge) is a Chinese urban air mobility company developing smart electric manned flying vehicles. The product portfolio consists of the Land Aircraft Carrier (World's First Modular Flying Car), the A868 High-Speed Long-Range Full Tilt-Rotor Flying Car, and Flying Experience services with 5 types of flying camps nationwide. The company operates under XPeng Motors and is preparing for mass production with a 120,000 square metre intelligent flying car factory in Guangzhou designed to produce one aircraft every 30 minutes with annual capacity of 10,000 units.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Land Aircraft Carrier: The world's first modular flying car, featuring a detachable vehicle module for ground driving.
- A868
Products and services
- Land Aircraft Carrier Modular flying car with detachable aircraft module enabling dual ground and air operation; designed for high-net-worth individual consumers seeking personal urban and inter-city air mobility.
- A868 High-speed long-range full tilt-rotor flying car designed for efficient aerial transportation using advanced tilt-rotor technology; intended for high-net-worth individual consumers and commercial operators.
- Flying Experience Flying camp experience offering 5 types of flying camps across China, providing diverse flight scenarios for customers and serving as an early customer engagement channel ahead of mass commercial delivery.
Quantifiable outcome
- Mass production factory to be basically completed and enter trial production by September 2025, targeting delivery in late 2026
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use HT Aero
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
HT Aero technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
HT Aero partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HT Aero competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lilium: German eVTOL developer building a ducted-fan electric jet for regional air mobility. Directly comparable as a publicly funded eVTOL OEM pursuing type certification and commercial launch.
- Vertical Aerospace: UK-based eVTOL company developing the VX4 tilt-thrust air taxi. Comparable in target market (premium urban air mobility), aircraft class, and pre-commercial certification stage.
- EHang: China-based eVTOL developer and direct domestic competitor. EHang's EH216-S has obtained type certification and is conducting autonomous air taxi operations in China — making it the closest comparable in product category, geography, and target use cases.
- Joby Aviation: US-listed eVTOL developer targeting urban air taxi service with a tilt-rotor design. Closest global comparator to HT Aero's A868 on aircraft configuration and passenger air mobility use case.
- Archer Aviation: US-listed eVTOL company developing electric air taxis with tilt-rotor architecture. Comparable in technology approach, regulatory pathway (FAA), and commercial air mobility ambitions.
- AutoFlight: China-based eVTOL developer (now backed by CATL) working on the Prosperity I tilt-rotor air taxi. Closest direct Chinese competitor in the same tilt-rotor eVTOL category.
- Volocopter: German eVTOL company developing multicopter air taxis (VoloCity) and longer-range variants. Comparable in urban air mobility mission and pre-commercial certification phase.
Emerging players
- Beta Technologies: US eVTOL/cargo aircraft developer with a conventional takeoff and landing design. Comparable as an emerging electric aviation OEM in pre-commercial/early-commercial phase with similar regulatory pathway.
Broad incumbents
- Wisk Aero: Boeing-owned autonomous eVTOL subsidiary pursuing air taxi services. Comparable in passenger UAM mission; benefits from Boeing's aerospace manufacturing scale and certification experience.
Regional players
- SkyDrive: Japan-based eVTOL developer (backed by Suzuki, Toyota, ANA) developing a compact air taxi for intra-city Japanese routes. Comparable as a regional Asian eVTOL player preparing for 2025-2026 commercial demonstration flights.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HT Aero social profiles
Digital presenceHT Aero financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HT Aero leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
HT Aero funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors14 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HT Aero M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HT Aero
What does HT Aero do?
HT Aero (also known as XPeng AeroHT / Aridge) designs, develops, and manufactures smart electric manned flying vehicles for urban air mobility. Its product portfolio includes the Land Aircraft Carrier modular flying car and the A868 full tilt-rotor flying car, complemented by flying experience services operated through five Flying Camps across China.
Is HT Aero a public or private company?
HT Aero is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was HT Aero founded?
HT Aero was founded in 2021. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is HT Aero based?
HT Aero is headquartered in Tianhe, China, in the Asia region.
How does HT Aero make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. eVTOL Flying Car Sales are the primary driver. The others are flying Experience Services.
Who are HT Aero's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lilium, Vertical Aerospace, EHang, Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, AutoFlight and Volocopter. Beta Technologies is listed as an emerging player. Wisk Aero is listed as a broad incumbent. SkyDrive is listed as a regional player.
Does HT Aero have an API?
No public API is recorded for HT Aero.
What industry is HT Aero in?
HT Aero's product category is Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFAAAD, Air Taxi & Urban Air Mobility (eVTOL) Operators, with a secondary code of IMABADAH, Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional). Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.