Alef Aeronautics, supported by SpaceX, announces 2,850 preorders for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flying car, the Alef Model A, priced at $300,000.
With a record-breaking demand, Alef claims the title of the “best-selling aircraft in history,” surpassing major aviation players.
The startup, also working on the four-person sedan Model Z, plans a 2035 launch for $35,000. Alef’s unique design resembles a car with a mesh shell, blending road and air capabilities.
1. Alef Aeronautics, a SpaceX-backed flying car firm, reports 2,850 preorders for its eVTOL vehicle, the Alef Model A.
2. Customers can place pre-orders online with a $150 deposit, making it the “best-selling aircraft in history” with an estimated order value exceeding $850 million.
3. The Model A is priced at $300,000, distinguishing itself from traditional aviation companies, and the preorder is refundable at any time.
4. Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny anticipates a slow production start, acknowledging challenges in meeting the substantial demand.
5. The company’s unique design features a car-like structure with a mesh shell and eight propellers for road and air capabilities.
6. Alef plans to launch the Model Z, a four-person sedan, in 2035 at a lower price of $35,000.
7. The Alef Model A, granted a special airworthiness certificate by the FAA, aims for flights by the end of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
8. Despite high demand, the CEO emphasizes a gradual production ramp-up, acknowledging practical limitations in meeting mass demand.
