The Communist Party’s flagship newspaper has urged the public not to underestimate China’s technological achievements after Tesla’s “flying car” demonstration sparked concern in some quarters that the country may be falling behind in the global auto race.
The People’s Daily commentary, published on Wednesday, followed the American electric vehicle giant’s unveiling last week of a second-generation Roadster fitted with thrusters developed with SpaceX, the rocket company led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Footage showed the sports car climbing a curved ramp, flipping upside down in mid-air and landing on its wheels. Tesla said it planned to begin production in 2028.
The showcase prompted online debate in China about the country’s position in the global auto race. Some expressed concern that the country was losing ground, while others dismissed Tesla’s “flying car” as little more than a glorified toy.
Responding to the debate, the People’s Daily said there was “no need to belittle ourselves” or “dismiss the achievements of our new energy vehicle industry”.
“Regulations, potential use cases and safety certification all remain unknown,” the commentary added, noting that the vehicle resembled a “polished concept showcase” rather than a car designed for daily use.
Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, echoed that assessment, describing Tesla’s “flying car” as more of a stunt than a vehicle for daily commuting.
The car’s ability to leave the ground briefly did not amount to sustained flight and regulatory requirements for road vehicles and airspace would limit public use, Cui said.
Cui described the technology as an engineering experiment and distinguished it from China’s efforts to develop electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for low-altitude urban transport.
The People’s Daily commentary also pointed to broader developments in China’s auto industry, citing Chinese manufacturer Xpeng, which had received more than 7,000 pre-orders by April for its “Land Aircraft Carrier” flying car, a six-wheeled vehicle with a detachable passenger aircraft.
Other examples cited included BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme supercar, which reached a record top speed of 496.2km/h (308.3mph), and CATL’s third-generation Shenxing battery, which can be fully charged in six minutes at room temperature.
The commentary noted China’s 35.6 per cent share of global automotive patent publications as evidence of the country’s capacity for innovation.
It also defended the benefits of competition, pointing to Tesla’s entry into Shanghai and saying its factory had encouraged domestic manufacturers to make progress.
“Technological breakthroughs accelerate through competition,” the commentary said. “China’s open automotive industry has never shied away from competing on the global stage.” -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
