Xpeng, the Guangzhou-headquartered electric vehicle maker, is no longer content with just building cars. At a high-profile event in Munich on July 18, 2026, the company unveiled its vision for the future of mobility—one that includes flying cars and humanoid robots. The move marks a strategic pivot to position Xpeng as a diversified technology company in the crowded EV landscape.
Xpeng hosted the event in Munich to signal its ambitions in Europe, a key market where it already sells EVs like the P7 and G9. But the real headliners were the Xpeng flying car, a prototype eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft, and the Xpeng humanoid robot, named PX5. These products aim to capture both the imagination and the investment dollars of consumers and investors alike.
The context is critical. China’s EV market is saturated, with domestic players like NIO, Li Auto, and BYD fighting for share alongside Tesla. Xpeng has struggled with profitability and slowing sales growth. Diversifying into adjacent high-tech verticals offers a new narrative. The Xpeng flying car, which the company says can transition from driving to flying, has already undergone test flights in China. The humanoid robot PX5, first teased in 2023, has been upgraded with new dexterity and AI capabilities.
At the Munich event, Xpeng executives stressed that flying cars are not a distant fantasy. The company aims to start mass production of its flying car by 2027, pending regulatory approvals in China and Europe. The PX5 robot, meanwhile, is targeted for industrial and domestic use, with potential applications in logistics and elder care. Xpeng has already partnered with German auto parts supplier Bosch to develop key components.
Industry analysts note that the Xpeng flying car and robot efforts mirror moves by competitors like Tesla (which is developing Optimus humanoid robot) and Toyota (which invests in eVTOL). But Xpeng’s advantage may be its vertical integration: it designs its own batteries, software, and chips. The Xpeng flying car leverages the company’s existing EV powertrain expertise. The humanoid robot shares AI and sensor technologies with Xpeng’s autonomous driving systems.
The broader implications are significant. If Xpeng succeeds, it could redefine what an automotive company is. The event in Munich served as a coming-out party for this new identity. The next milestones: certification of the Xpeng flying car with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), further robot demonstrations at tech fairs, and a production decision for the robot by late 2027. With China’s support for low-altitude economy and Europe’s push for green transport, Xpeng is betting heavily on a multimodal future.
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Xpeng Expands Beyond EVs With Munich Event, Promising Flying Cars and Humanoid Robots
The Guangzhou-headquartered EV maker wants to be known as more than just a car company.
Ben Sin, Contributor
Forbes
3 min read
7/10
Munich
Key Takeaways
- Xpeng held a Munich event on July 18, 2026, to showcase its eVTOL flying car (X2 prototype) and humanoid robot PX5.
- The company aims to begin mass production of its flying car by 2027, pending regulatory approvals from EASA and Chinese authorities.
- Xpeng's humanoid robot PX5 has been upgraded with advanced AI for dexterous manipulation and is slated for industrial and domestic use.
- The event signals Xpeng's strategic shift from pure EV maker to diversified tech firm to combat slowing EV sales and increasing competition in China.
- Xpeng has partnered with Bosch for key components of its flying car, leveraging existing EV powertrain expertise for vertical takeoff and landing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Xpeng flying car is an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle that can both drive on roads and fly. It is designed for short-distance urban air mobility and can transition between driving and flying modes. Xpeng aims to start mass production by 2027.
The Xpeng humanoid robot is called the PX5. It has been upgraded with advanced AI for dexterous manipulation and is intended for both industrial applications (e.g., logistics) and domestic use (e.g., elder care). Xpeng plans to demonstrate it further at tech fairs.
Xpeng showcased its flying car and humanoid robot at an event in Munich, Germany, on July 18, 2026. The event marked the company's expansion into Europe as a diversified technology firm beyond electric vehicles.
Xpeng aims to start mass production of its flying car by 2027, pending regulatory approvals from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Chinese aviation authorities. The company has already conducted test flights in China.
The Xpeng flying car is unique because it can both drive like a car and fly vertically, leveraging Xpeng's existing EV powertrain and battery expertise. It also benefits from the company's in-house software and chip design, similar to its autonomous driving systems.
Xpeng is diversifying beyond electric vehicles to new growth verticals amid intense competition in China's EV market and slowing sales. Flying cars and humanoid robots represent futuristic technologies that can attract investment and position the company as a broad tech innovator.
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