EHang Forms Strategic Cooperation with the Management Committee of Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone, Guangzhou Development District Administrative Committee, and GAC Group to Scale Up New Quality Productivity and Promote High-Quality Development for Guangzhou’s Low-Altitude Economy
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Insights
The strategic cooperation between EHang, GAC Group and Guangzhou government agencies represents a significant milestone in the urban air mobility (UAM) sector. This partnership aims to establish a robust low-altitude economy in Guangzhou, which could serve as a model for similar initiatives globally. The UAM industry is still in its infancy but is projected to reach a market size of over $1 trillion, indicating the potential for substantial economic impact. The collaboration's focus on integrating EHang's UAV technology with GAC Group's manufacturing capabilities could accelerate the commercialization of passenger-carrying UAVs.
For stakeholders, the short-term implications include potential increases in R&D expenditures and capital investments in infrastructure development. However, the long-term benefits may include enhanced market position, increased sales and a stronger competitive edge in the low-altitude transportation sector. Key to success will be the ability to navigate regulatory environments and public acceptance of UAM solutions.
It's important to note that the success of such ventures heavily relies on supportive policies and infrastructure, which are being addressed through the '10 Measures for Low-Altitude Industry.' The policy framework and financial incentives could serve as a catalyst for industry growth, attracting further investment and innovation in the region.
This strategic agreement could have a positive effect on EHang's financials and stock performance, especially considering the backing from local government entities and the partnership with an established automotive giant like GAC Group. Investors should monitor the progress of this collaboration closely, as it could lead to increased revenue streams for EHang through the sales of UAVs and related services.
However, investors must also be cautious about the high costs associated with the development of UAM technologies and the potential dilution of shares if additional capital is raised to fund these initiatives. The market's response to these developments will depend on EHang's ability to meet production milestones, secure regulatory approvals and successfully commercialize their UAV products.
While the UAM market is promising, it is also characterized by high entry barriers and significant technological risks. The strategic cooperation could mitigate some of these risks by pooling resources and expertise, but it remains crucial to evaluate ongoing financial metrics and market conditions.
The strategic cooperation is a testament to the growing interest in the UAM sector and the potential for passenger-carrying UAVs to revolutionize urban transportation. EHang's expertise in UAVs combined with GAC Group's manufacturing prowess could lead to advancements in UAM technology, including safety, reliability and affordability, which are critical factors for mass adoption.
The development of low-altitude flight service stations and air routes by the local government committees is a significant step towards creating the necessary infrastructure for UAM operations. The initiative's success will hinge on the ability to seamlessly integrate these new transportation methods into existing urban environments without disrupting current systems.
As the industry progresses, the collaboration between EHang and GAC could set new standards for UAM operations and potentially influence global regulatory frameworks. The emphasis on technological innovation and high-quality development aligns with broader industry trends toward sustainable and efficient urban transportation solutions.
GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EHang Holdings Limited (“EHang” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EH), the world’s leading urban air mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, announced that it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Management Committee of Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone, the Administrative Committee of Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District ("Guangzhou Development District Administrative Committee"), and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (601238.SH, 02238.HK, "GAC Group"). All parties will fully leverage their respective strengths and resources to jointly create a robust low-altitude industry ecosystem, which will contribute to Guangzhou's leadership in the trillion-dollar low-altitude sector and facilitate the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy.
(The strategic cooperation among Guangzhou Government Agencies, GAC Group and EHang)
According to the Agreement, GAC Group and EHang will join forces in research and development, production, sales, and other areas to strengthen the low-altitude market. GAC Group is set to fully capitalize on its extensive expertise in smart manufacturing and its well-structured industrial chain to accelerate the production, adoption and market expansion for EHang’s passenger-carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”). Meanwhile, EHang will maximize its expertise in developing and integrating passenger-carrying UAVs to support the development of GAC Group’s flying cars. The joint effort will be dedicated to accelerating the layout of the low-altitude industry in Guangzhou, injecting strong momentum into the rapid growth of Guangzhou's low-altitude industry.
The Management Committee of Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone and the Guangzhou Development District Administrative Committee will initially focus on airspace management, infrastructure development and policy support to carry out the delineation of low-altitude airspace and air routes, establish low-altitude flight service stations, and promote deep cooperation between the government and enterprises. The initiative will provide support to EHang and GAC Group for their technology research and development, production, and promotion for product applications in Guangzhou.
Previously, the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District and the Huangpu district of Guangzhou issued “Measures for Promoting High-Quality Development of Low-Altitude Economy in Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District (Huangpu District)" (“10 Measures for Low-Altitude Industry”) and detailed policies to encourage and support the development of the low-altitude economy industry with meaningful rewards and subsidies. This strategic cooperation is an excellent reflection following China’s Central Economic Work Conference’s calls for accelerating strategic emerging industries such as the low-altitude economy and promoting industrial advancements through technological innovation. This is a key result from China’s strategies to generate new industries, models, and momentum and develop new quality productivity with disruptive and progressive technologies. The cooperation will also help solidify the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy and widely add strength for building the low-altitude economic industry in the Greater Bay Area.
Mr. Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of EHang, stated, "As a local enterprise in Guangzhou, we are delighted to harness EHang's leading advantages in passenger-carrying UAVs to partner with t the Management Committee of Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone, the Administrative Committee of Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District, and GAC Group for propelling the high-quality development of Guangzhou's low-altitude economy. With close collaboration among all parties, we will explore new horizons in the production and manufacturing, sales and marketing, as well as the commercial operation of EHang's passenger-carrying UAVs, injecting strong momentum into the development of the low-altitude industry in Guangzhou and empowering further leaps in China's low-altitude economy."
(Image: EHang’s EH216-S passenger-carrying UAV flew in the Jiulong Lake Park, Huangpu district, Guangzhou)
(Image: GAC Group’s flying car GOVE)
About Management Committee of Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone
The Management Committee of Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone is an agency under the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government. It exercises top municipal level management authority within key development areas and is responsible for overall planning, development and construction, investment promotion, administrative approvals, project preparation, and enterprise services, providing social management and public services for economic development and district construction.
About Guangzhou Development District Administrative Committee
The Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District is one of the first national-level economic and technological development districts in China. It is located in the eastern part of Guangzhou, with convenient transportation, a good ecological environment, well-established infrastructure, and a superior investment environment. In 2023, the Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development District ranked 2nd in the comprehensive development level assessment of national-level economic and technological development districts, maintaining its position for six consecutive years.
About GAC Group
Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (“GAC Group”, 601238.SH or 02238.HK) is headquartered in Tianhe district, Guangzhou. It is a large-scale state-owned automobile enterprise listed in both mainland China and Hong Kong. In 2023, it ranked 165th in the Fortune Global 500 and 49th in the Top 500 Chinese Enterprises. Its main business covers seven major segments: research and development, vehicles, components, trade and travel, energy and ecology, internationalization, investment and finance, adhering to the simultaneous promotion of independent innovation and joint venture cooperation.
About EHang
EHang (Nasdaq: EH) is the world’s leading urban air mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company. Our mission is to enable safe, autonomous, and eco-friendly air mobility accessible to everyone. EHang provides customers in various industries with unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) systems and solutions: air mobility (including passenger transportation and logistics), smart city management, and aerial media solutions. EHang has obtained the world’s first type certificate and standard airworthiness certificate for unmanned eVTOL from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in 2023. As the forerunner of cutting-edge UAV technologies and commercial solutions in the global UAM industry, EHang continues to explore the boundaries of the sky to make flying technologies benefit our life in smart cities. For more information, please visit www.ehang.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to those relating to certifications, our expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, our products and solutions and the commercialization of UAM services, our relationships with strategic partners, and current litigation and potential litigation involving us. Management has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While they believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management’s control. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause EHang’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Media Contact: pr@ehang.com
Investor Contact: ir@ehang.com
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