Changan Automobile recently set a new milestone in its efforts to lead innovation and development in emerging industries by signing a partnership agreement with EHang Holdings Ltd. to research and develop flying-car-related products. These are expected to include innovative flying cars and electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft, which are a type of electric vehicle that can take off and land vertically without a runway.

Changan, together with EHang, a leading global Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, will leverage their respective strengths to develop innovative transportation solutions that can help open new economic development opportunities. For example, in China, it’s forecasted that the low-altitude economy — which refers to activities such as drone delivery that occur in the airspace below 1,000 meters — will be valued at a trillion dollars by 2030.

"In the next five years, Changan will invest over AED 10.07 billion to expedite the development of flying cars,” said Changan Automobile Chairman Zhu Huarong. “Over the next decade, we plan to invest more than AED 50.33 billion to explore comprehensive transportation solutions across land, sea, air, and in humanoid robots."

This initiative aligns with Changan’s long-term strategy to continually pursue breakthroughs in intelligent digital technologies and transform into an “intelligent low-carbon mobility technology company”.

The signing ceremony for Changan Automobile’s collaboration with EHang was part of Changan’s celebrations marking the inauguration of its Global Science and Art Center, an integral part of the company’s Global R&D Center in Chongqing. Changan’s Global Science and Art Center will focus on research in the science, technology, and design fields. Over the next 10 years, the company will invest over AED 15.10 billion to establish a team of over 3,000 experts and talents to explore forward-looking fields such as artificial intelligence, information technology, and innovations in customer experience and design.

This is part of Changan Automobile’s global R&D network which currently includes 16 technology research and product development centers 17 technology companies, and a technical R&D team of more than 18,000 people from 31 countries and regions around the world.