CHINA’S FAW Group Co., Ltd. on Wednesday unveiled its first flying car under the Hongqi brand, taking a step into the future of mobility. The flying car boasts a flight range of more than 200 km and is scheduled to make its maiden flight later this year, said the carmaker headquartered in Changchun, capital of Northeast China’s Jilin Province. The intelligent cockpit system of the flying car can provide the driver with real-time information through voice and visual displays, significantly reducing operational complexity. The flying car’s development and design adhere strictly to the highest industry safety standards to ensure passenger safety, according to FAW. On the same day, FAW also unveiled three new Hongqi vehicle models, two of which are available in both fully electric and hybrid versions. Additionally, two other new energy vehicle models were also officially launched for sale. The automaker also announced an ambitious development plan for the Hongqi brand, targeting operations in over 100 countries and regions with 1,000 sales and service outlets in five years. The company said that it will establish five overseas hub clusters in markets including Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. The company will also establish more localized low-carbon R&D centers, supply chain and operation centers, achieving an annual overseas production capacity exceeding 200,000 vehicles and creating over 20,000 new jobs across upstream and downstream sectors. Leveraging its three major technological platforms, namely the Hongqi Tiangong electric platform, the Hongqi Honghu hybrid platform and the Hongqi Jiuzhang intelligent platform, Hongqi plans to roll out more than 20 new models worldwide, expressed Liu Changqing, vice president of Hongqi Brand Operations Committee. “Our layout will truly make the Hongqi brand a globally recognized Eastern cultural icon,” said Liu. The Hongqi brand sold 411,777 vehicles in 2024, up 17.4% year on year, marking its seventh consecutive year of growth. Hongqi, which means “red flag” in Chinese, is an iconic Chinese car brand that was established in 1958. Currently, the brand has 18 models on sale, covering the gasoline-powered vehicles, pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and extended range electric vehicles.(Xinhua) | 