First ‘Flying Car’ to Make Debut at Geneva Motor Show

Visitors look at a prototype (R) and a mock-up of the PAL-V, a flying car developed by Dutch firm PAL-V, at the company's headquarter in Raamsdonksveer on May 30, 2017. (AFP/Emmanuel Dunand)
Visitors look at a prototype (R) and a mock-up of the PAL-V, a flying car developed by Dutch firm PAL-V, at the company's headquarter in Raamsdonksveer on May 30, 2017. (AFP/Emmanuel Dunand)
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First ‘Flying Car’ to Make Debut at Geneva Motor Show

Visitors look at a prototype (R) and a mock-up of the PAL-V, a flying car developed by Dutch firm PAL-V, at the company's headquarter in Raamsdonksveer on May 30, 2017. (AFP/Emmanuel Dunand)
Visitors look at a prototype (R) and a mock-up of the PAL-V, a flying car developed by Dutch firm PAL-V, at the company's headquarter in Raamsdonksveer on May 30, 2017. (AFP/Emmanuel Dunand)

The flying car has become a reality, and pre-orders to buy it for $ 400,000 kicked off last year.

The “PAL-V Liberty” flying car is set to be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 9, according to the German news agency (DPA).

According to the Dutch PAL-V International BV, the Liberty is the world's first flying car produced for commercial purposes. Although the car is very much like a helicopter, it can also be driven on land roads. And despite that the final version of the car has been showed, the company still needs to complete the final step for the licensing, production, and sale of the vehicle by approving its adherence to the aviation and land safety regulations.

PAL-V International expects to complete this step in 2019, and then to commence delivering the car to its customers. The company had earlier expected to start delivering the car to customers by the end of 2018.

Although the car can fly, its maximum speed on the ground is up to 100 mph through a 100-horsepower engine. The vehicle can also reach speeds of 62 mph in less than 9 seconds. Its maximum operating speed on the flight mode attains 112 miles per hour at 200 horsepower.

The price of the car starts at $399,000, and there is a special version that will be sold for $599,000 for featuring many additional luxuries. The driver aiming to use this car is required to have both car and airplane driving licenses.



Taiwan Raises 2025 GDP Growth Forecast to 4.45% on Strong Tech Exports

The general view of the city center in Taipei, Taiwan, 15 August 2025. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
The general view of the city center in Taipei, Taiwan, 15 August 2025. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
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Taiwan Raises 2025 GDP Growth Forecast to 4.45% on Strong Tech Exports

The general view of the city center in Taipei, Taiwan, 15 August 2025. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
The general view of the city center in Taipei, Taiwan, 15 August 2025. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO

Taiwan's economy is expected to grow faster in 2025 than previously forecast, the statistics agency said on Friday, as the island continues to reap the benefits of strong demand for tech and artificial intelligence-related products.

Taiwan's gross domestic product is now expected to expand 4.45% this year, according to the official forecast from the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, higher than the 3.1% it forecast in May.

Exports this year from Taiwan, a major producer of chips powering the AI surge, are predicted to expand by 24.04%, the agency said, upgrading sharply a previous forecast of 8.99%.

The optimistic outlook comes even after US President Donald Trump imposed a 20% tariff on Taiwan goods, Reuters reported.

Taiwan's government has said the 20% tariff is "temporary" as it continues to negotiate with the US for more favorable rates.

Gross domestic product expanded by a revised 8.01% in the second quarter from a year earlier, compared with a preliminary 7.96%, the statistics agency said.

It also lowered the forecast for the consumer price index (CPI) to 1.76% from 1.88% previously.