The GAC R&D Center is currently hiring engineers related to flying cars, with some positions requiring candidates to be familiar with Chinese airworthiness regulations.

It is worth noting that GAC was granted a patent today for the appearance of a manned flying vehicle, according to data provider Tianyancha.

The following are drawings of the patent.

Xpeng, which is also Guangzhou-based like GAC, is currently one of the companies putting the most efforts into the flying car space.

Xpeng's flying car division, Xpeng Aeroht, previously known as HT Aero, put its first trial plant into operation on Monday, according to information it shared on its official WeChat account yesterday.

At its annual Tech Day event on October 24 last year, Xpeng unveiled Xpeng Aeroht's sixth-generation flying car concept, a vehicle that can both drive on land like a normal car and fly in the air.

Xpeng and its chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said at the time that the company aims to have its flying cars in mass production by 2024, with a price tag expected to be under RMB 1 million ($157,000).

It's worth noting, however, that the lack of policy support is key to the difficulty of getting a flying car off the ground commercially.

According to China's current regulations, flying vehicles with a maximum takeoff weight of more than 150 kg are classified as large drones, and their flight locations, routes and airspace are subject to regulators' management.

This means that flying cars are actually no longer part of the "car" category, and existing ground transportation systems and regulations do not apply to them.

As the main mode of commercialization of flying cars - "air cab" operation faces many issues.

In China, flying vehicles need to obtain permission to carry people, and to operate commercially, they also need to obtain a business license.

Thankfully, however, Chinese policymakers are now trying to provide support for the industry, and some pilot reforms to open up low-altitude airspace are underway.

With GAC on board, it is possible that China could see greater openness in the flying car sector.

Why is it tough to commercialize flying cars?