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The futuristic vision of urban air mobility is edging closer to reality, and at the heart of this transformation lies an unlikely yet powerful collaboration. Dassault Systèmes, a French powerhouse in advanced software solutions, has significantly deepened its partnerships with Chinese manufacturers of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). As China positions itself at the forefront of this emerging industry, the French company is aligning its expertise and digital platforms to fuel the nation’s ambitions of bringing flying taxis into the mainstream.
This sweeping alliance is more than a business transaction—it is a symbol of global cooperation in the age of aerospace innovation. With China preparing for mass production of flying taxis in multiple metropolitan hubs, Dassault Systèmes’s presence underscores the merging of technology, policy, and economic ecosystems driving the low-altitude economy.
The Unprecedented Rise of Dassault Systèmes in China
Two Decades of Growth in a Critical Market
When Dassault Systèmes first entered the Chinese market two decades ago, its influence was modest. Fast forward twenty years, and its operations in the nation have grown an astonishing 22-fold, according to Zhang Ying, President of Dassault Systèmes China. This growth trajectory reflects not only the firm’s agility but also China’s appetite for cutting-edge digital design and simulation technologies.
The company has anchored its presence in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, establishing branches and innovation centers. This choice is strategic: the Greater Bay Area boasts one of the most advanced ecosystems for low-altitude economic activity, bridging world-class infrastructure with a forward-looking industrial framework.
Building an Innovation Nexus
Dassault Systèmes’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform is central to this evolution. Already deployed across aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing sectors worldwide, the software is fast becoming indispensable in China’s push to dominate the eVTOL space. Zhang pointed out that nearly every aircraft and 70 percent of cars globally rely on Dassault’s software in some capacity—underscoring its pivotal role in blending aviation and automotive expertise.
The convergence of aerospace, automotive, and high-tech sectors in the eVTOL domain is no coincidence. Instead, it is the natural outcome of shared technologies such as lightweight composite design, advanced aerodynamics, smart electronics, and digital simulation—all areas where Dassault has long excelled.
The Promise of Flying Taxis: From Dream to Deployment
What Are eVTOLs and Why Do They Matter?
Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, are revolutionizing the concept of mobility. Unlike traditional aircraft, they do not require long runways; instead, they lift off and land vertically, like helicopters. But unlike helicopters, eVTOLs promise lower noise, reduced emissions, lower operational costs, and safer urban integration.
The implications are vast: reduced congestion in megacities, faster commutes across urban sprawls, and a whole new dimension of public transportation. For nations like China, grappling with massive urbanization, eVTOLs are not just futuristic novelties—they are strategic solutions.
Testing the Skies of China
China has already begun live testing of flying taxis in multiple cities, including Hefei, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing. Each of these metropolitan hubs represents a critical testbed, chosen for their mix of urban density, infrastructure readiness, and consumer demand potential.
Su Qingpeng, founder and chief executive of Govy AirCar, highlighted that airworthiness policies are advancing steadily. However, the next hurdle is not technological but commercial—figuring out how eVTOLs will fit into real-world business models. Will they function like premium ride-hailing services? Or will they integrate into urban public transit systems?
Su predicts that by the time eVTOL deliveries commence, the cost of a flying taxi ride will only be two to three times that of a normal taxi, putting it within reach of mainstream commuters rather than a luxury niche.
Dassault Systèmes’s Strategic Partnerships in China
Collaborations With AutoFlight and Govy AirCar
Last September, Dassault Systèmes inked two high-profile deals:
- AutoFlight Partnership – A collaboration centered on research and development of eVTOL platforms. AutoFlight, one of China’s most ambitious eVTOL startups, is racing toward certification and large-scale deployment.
- Govy AirCar Strategic Agreement – This partnership, tied to the eVTOL arm of Chinese automotive giant GAC Group, covers research and development, airworthiness certification, value chain collaboration, and intelligent operations.
These alliances reinforce Dassault Systèmes’s positioning not just as a software vendor, but as an integral innovation partner for companies shaping the future of mobility.
Why Dassault Is Indispensable
What makes Dassault’s role so pivotal is its mastery of end-to-end digital twins. From design and testing to certification and operations, its software ecosystem provides a seamless digital environment. This reduces development costs, accelerates certification timelines, and enables predictive maintenance—a crucial factor in winning public trust for air taxis.
The Low-Altitude Economy: China’s Next Growth Frontier
Infrastructure, Policy, and Innovation Ecosystem
While Europe lags behind—where even giants like Siemens and Airbus face slower eVTOL adoption—China has carved out a unique advantage. Analysts note that China’s infrastructure readiness, government policy support, and innovation ecosystems form the backbone of its rapid advances.
The “low-altitude economy” is a term increasingly used in China to describe industries that operate in the airspace between ground level and conventional aviation routes. This includes drones, logistics vehicles, and now, passenger eVTOLs. For China, this economy is not speculative—it is a government-backed strategic priority.
Supply Chain Strength: A Key Differentiator
China’s powerful manufacturing base gives it an edge that few nations can replicate. Battery makers, electric motor producers, electronic control system developers, and smart-driving software companies can be mobilized quickly and at scale. According to Su Qingpeng, this integrated supply chain makes it possible to develop batteries, motors, electronic controls, smart driving systems, and intelligent connected vehicles tailored for the low-altitude economy at unprecedented speed.
The Future of Flying Taxis: Opportunities and Challenges
Commercial Viability and Public Perception
For flying taxis to succeed, affordability and accessibility will be as important as technological readiness. If Su’s prediction holds—that costs will only be two to three times those of regular taxis—then flying taxis could quickly transition from luxury to mainstream.
Yet, challenges remain. Public perception of safety, noise levels, and environmental impacts will shape adoption. Here, Dassault’s digital twin simulations could play a role in addressing community concerns, demonstrating flight safety under various scenarios before aircraft even take to the skies.
Global Competitive Landscape
Although China is moving swiftly, it is not alone. American firms like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, along with European startups such as Lilium, are also making strides. However, without China’s robust supply chain and infrastructure capabilities, scaling up remains a hurdle for competitors.
Dassault Systèmes, by partnering with China’s leading players, positions itself at the epicenter of the global eVTOL race.
Conclusion: A Skies-High Partnership
Dassault Systèmes’s deepening partnerships with Chinese flying taxi makers mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of urban air mobility. What was once the stuff of science fiction is now moving closer to mass production, backed by cutting-edge digital tools, a powerful manufacturing ecosystem, and supportive policy frameworks.
China’s bold vision for a low-altitude economy, combined with Dassault’s unrivaled digital expertise, is creating fertile ground for the rise of eVTOLs. By 2026, the sight of flying taxis buzzing over Chinese megacities may no longer be a spectacle—but a daily reality.
In this transformative journey, Dassault Systèmes is not just a spectator. It is the architect of the digital backbone that will power an entirely new era of human mobility.
