EHang collaborates with JAC Motors & Guoxian Holdings to build eVTOL manufacturing base in Hefei
Chinese electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer, EHang, recently signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (JAC Motors) and Hefei Guoxian Holdings Co., Ltd. (Guoxian Holdings).
Under the agreement, the alliance will establish a joint venture in Hefei to construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing base for low-altitude aircraft.
The facility will integrate advanced technology, standardisation, and automation to produce innovative, unmanned eVTOL aircraft.
Additionally, the companies will collaborate for research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and sales of eVTOL aircraft to drive technological advancements, accelerate industrialisation, and expand production capacity.
Leveraging industry expertise for eVTOL development
JAC Motors, one of China’s top 100 enterprises, will leverage its expertise in automobile manufacturing, including mature production line processes, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and efficient production capacity and supply chain management, to scale up and automate eVTOL aircraft production.
Meanwhile, EHang will bring its advanced R&D and eVTOL production technology, along with its extensive experience in airworthiness certification and operations, ensuring the technical foundation for low-altitude aviation.
In addition, Guoxian Holdings, a key player in the International Advanced Technology Application Promotion Center (Hefei), will support the partnership by facilitating policy initiatives and creating a favourable environment for innovation and industrial growth.
Furthermore, EHang is actively expanding its collaborations with local governments and industry partners to prepare for the commercial rollout of the low-altitude economy.
These efforts include developing infrastructure, training personnel, and scaling up production capacity.
In October 2023, EHang signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Hefei municipal government to establish two urban air mobility (UAM) eVTOL operation centres at Luogang Central Park.
Now, through its partnership with JAC Motors and Guoxian Holdings, the company is taking another significant step forward.
Building a strong foundation
According to the companies, the new eVTOL production facility will help meet the growing demand for autonomous passenger-carrying aircraft and lay the groundwork for large-scale deployment once commercial operations take off.
Xingchu Xiang, Chairman & General Manager of JAC Motors, said, “As a comprehensive automotive enterprise group integrating the R&D, production, sales, and service of full series commercial and passenger vehicles, and covering a wide range of fields including automotive mobility and financial services, JAC Motors is strategically partnering with EHang and Guoxian Holdings to develop the low-altitude economy.”
He added, “By leveraging Hefei’s high-quality resources, this collaboration aims to drive the high-quality growth of emerging industries. We look forward to mass production of low-altitude eVTOLs in Hefei and believe that our trilateral partnership will achieve outstanding results in this innovative-driven city.”
On his part, Huazhi Hu, founder, chairman, and CEO of EHang, said, “EHang is committed to advancing a full-scale low-altitude air mobility ecosystem and continuously collaborating with upstream and downstream partners to strengthen the industrial chain for pilotless eVTOL products. By joining forces with JAC Motors and Guoxian Holdings, we are building a strong foundation for future three-dimensional transportation ecosystems.”
“With our combined efforts, we believe that the low-altitude economy will achieve groundbreaking advancements in intelligence, automation, and environmental sustainability, writing a new chapter for China’s high-quality development of the low-altitude economy in Hefei,” he added.