If someone said that there will be flying cars, we would probably have dismissed as pure fiction. However, it looks this is about to become a reality soon.
Thanks to the cutting edge technologies today, several companies have been building future flying car prototypes. According to Li Chunrong, the CEO of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (Proton), the company hopes to introduce the first flying car to the Malaysian market in 2019.
In addition to the future flying car, Proton’s upcoming 3 high-tech models will also include self-driving cars and fully electronic cars. It was reported a few months back that Proton will collaborate with China’s Zhejiang Geely (who purchased flying car developer Terrafugia) to build “concept of a passenger vehicle that flies like an air plane in the air and drives like a car on the ground”.
“Flying cars can be seen as an ‘ultimate solution’ to traffic problems and this concept can sound particularly appealing to (the urban crowd) who are often struggling with serious traffic congestions during peak hours,” said managing director with Automotive Foresight, Yale Zhang.
He added, “Although it will take many years for makers of flying cars to achieve commercial success, it makes good sense for Geely to first go in and acquire the know-how for their long-term agenda.”
Besides the highly-anticipated Proton Boyue SUV that is expected to launch by the end of 2018 or early 2019, Proton is also looking to upgrade 8 models that are already in the market. There are also plans to change Proton’s Chinese name from “Pu Teng” (Pu means ordinary) to “Bao Teng” (Bao means treasure).
We can’t wait for the day when urban commuters can finally take to the skies in their vehicles.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today / Featured image: Livemint.
