Flying car maker eyes India

Panaji: A US-based company which has designed and tested a `flying car`, is looking at India, Brazil and China as the future markets. Carl Dietrich, co-founder of Terrafugia, a US-based company which has developed a `roadable aircraft`, told PTI that the company would be launching the product commercially at the end of the next year.

The aircraft-cum-car has foldable wings, which are tucked in when it is on the road, and it becomes compact enough to park in a home-garage, he said, adding that it coverts into a flying machine within 30 seconds. Around a hundred people have already booked the car, priced at USD 2,79,000.

With a full tank, the car can fly for 460 miles at the speed of 110 miles per hour. "After the US launch, we will spread in Europe," Dietrich said, adding that India, Brazil and China would be the future markets.

Dietrich, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was here to participate in `Goa Think Fest - 2011`, a three-day conclave which would conclude on Sunday. The car is a workable commuting option, as building a short runway is cheaper than building a super-highway, he said.