We return to Shanghai — the epicenter of the automotive future — for the second part of our comprehensive review of the most striking premieres at the largest auto show of the year 2025. Here, on stages where technology blends with culture and design borders on art, Chinese automotive giants continue to astonish the world with their ambition and craftsmanship.

And this time, they didn’t just roll out another sleek electric sedan or a futuristic crossover. They went airborne.

At precisely 11:00 AM local time on June 7th, 2025, a moment unfolded at the Shanghai International Auto & Mobility Expo that instantly rewrote the rules of personal transportation. Amidst a crowd of thousands and a media frenzy that spanned from CNN to CCTV, Chinese start-up SkyVoyager Technologies, in partnership with state-backed auto giant SAIC Motors, unveiled the world’s first fully functional, commercially viable flying  electric vehicle transport pod — and the world gasped.

A Vehicle, A Drone, A Revolution

Named the SkyVoyager ONE, this remarkable vehicle blurs the line between a car, a drone, and a luxury aircraft. Designed for urban air mobility (UAM), it’s capable of both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and conventional road driving, powered entirely by next-gen solid-state batteries and ultralight composite materials.

The crowd watched in astonishment as, without a runway or preparation, the prototype smoothly lifted off from the indoor expo stage, hovered gracefully in midair, and then gently landed — a flawless demonstration of what many had considered science fiction just a few years ago.

Technical Marvel: What Makes It Work

The SkyVoyager ONE is equipped with eight counter-rotating electric propellers for vertical lift and a set of retractable wheels for road travel. It boasts a battery range of 400 km (road) and 120 km (air) with a top flying speed of 160 km/h (100 mph).

But perhaps the most groundbreaking feature is its AI-based flight stabilization system, developed in collaboration with Huawei’s AI labs. This technology allows even first-time pilots to safely control the vehicle with minimal training, while an autonomous mode can handle short intra-city commutes entirely without human input.

“Today, we’re witnessing the end of traffic jams as we know them,” proclaimed SkyVoyager CEO Zhao Weiming as he addressed the global press. “China will lead the new era of three-dimensional urban mobility.”

Industry Reaction: Awe, Panic, and Inevitable Copycats

The unveiling sent shockwaves through the automotive and aerospace sectors. Tesla’s share price dipped 2.8% within hours, while aviation startups like Joby Aviation and Archer faced immediate market pressure. Rumors are already swirling that BYD and Geely are accelerating their own UAM projects for a 2026 reveal.

Volkswagen Group China CEO Stefan Mecha called the demonstration “a seismic moment for urban mobility.” Meanwhile, several U.S. lawmakers voiced national security concerns over Chinese dominance in airborne transportation tech.

Public Fascination and Viral Frenzy

Social media platforms from Douyin to X (formerly Twitter) exploded with footage of the flight. Within 30 minutes of the demo, #SkyVoyagerONE and #FlyingEV trended globally. A viral post from one expo attendee captured the moment of liftoff with the caption:
“Blade Runner is no longer fiction. It’s happening here in Shanghai.”

Regulatory Hurdles and Commercial Plans

SkyVoyager confirmed that the ONE model will enter limited commercial service in Shenzhen and Shanghai’s Pudong district by mid-2026, pending final government approvals. The company revealed plans for dedicated “SkyPorts” on rooftops of major skyscrapers and integration with local 5G/6G networks for real-time air traffic management.

The vehicle is expected to be priced at ¥1.2 million ($165,000), initially targeting luxury commuters, emergency response teams, and government fleets. However, Zhao Weiming stated the company’s goal is to release a mass-market version under ¥500,000 ($68,000) by 2028.

What’s Next for the Global Auto Industry?

The implications of this reveal stretch far beyond China. Global automakers and regulators now face a future where  EV markets aren’t just about wheels on roads but wings in the sky. The convergence of AI, solid-state batteries, and autonomous systems is making personal airborne mobility a near-term reality, not a distant dream.

Shanghai Expo 2025 has already been declared the most important auto show of the decade, and this flying  EV pod may well be its defining symbol.

One thing is clear: the world wasn’t ready for this — but it’s here anyway.