Two flying cars crashed into each other at a rehearsal for an air show in China which was meant to be a showcase for the technology.

The Xpeng AeroHT vehicles collided in mid-air, with one catching fire during landing, the company said in a statement to Reuters.

The company stated that people at the scene were safe, but a report from CNN indicated that one person was injured in the crash, citing an anonymous employee.

The rehearsals took place on Tuesday for the Changchun Air Show, set to start later this week in north-east China.

BBC News has contacted Xpeng for comment.

Footage
Footage on social media site Weibo showed the wreckage.

Footage on Chinese social media site Weibo appeared to show a flaming vehicle on the ground, which was being attended to by fire engines.

One vehicle sustained fuselage damage and caught fire upon landing, Xpeng AeroHT explained in a statement to CNN.

All personnel at the scene were reported safe, and local authorities completed on-site emergency measures in an orderly manner.

The electric flying cars, which take off and land vertically, are expected to be sold for around $300,000 (£220,000) each.

In January, Xpeng claimed to have around 3,000 orders for the vehicle.

The Chinese company is one of the largest manufacturers of electric vehicles in the world and has recently expanded into Europe.

The flying cars are produced by its subsidiary, AeroHT.

Experts note that there are still considerable hurdles for this form of transport in terms of infrastructure, regulation, and public acceptance.

Nonetheless, some analysts suggest that China aims to replicate its success with electric vehicles by promoting early adoption of flying cars, aspiring to lead in the low-altitude economy. Last year, a pioneering European flying car firm was acquired by a Chinese company.