VinFast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker, has held a ceremony to announce that it has officially entered the global market. To mark the start of this the company has sent 999 of its VF 8 electric cars to the USA.
This batch of electric vehicles has been transported by the Silver Queen, a Panamanian charter ship, and is expected to arrive in a California port about 20 days after deporting from MPC Port in Haiphong, Vietnam.
The company said the first VinFast customers in the US can expect their cars by the end of December 2022. This international export is the first batch of the 65,000 global orders already made for VinFast’s VF 8, a smaller electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) and the VF 9, a larger three-row electric SUV.
The VF 8 is available in two trims, Eco and Plus. The VF 8 Eco version is equipped with an electric motor with a maximum power of 260kW, has a maximum torque of 500Nm and offers an estimated range of 261 miles (420km).
The VF 8 Plus version is equipped with an electric motor with a maximum power of 300kW, offers a maximum torque of 620Nm and will deliver an estimated range of 249 miles (400km).
Following this first batch of cars for the American market, VinFast will continue to export more VF 8 lots to Canada and Europe for customer deliveries in early 2023. The first VF 9 models will be handed over to customers in Vietnam and international markets in the first quarter of 2023.
Nguyen Viet Quang, Vingroup vice chairman and CEO, said: “The export of the first 999 VF 8s is a significant event for VinFast and Vingroup and a proud historical milestone for the Vietnamese automotive industry. It affirms that Vietnam has successfully produced high-quality standards electric vehicles that are ready to compete in the international market.
“We hope that, when VinFast’s smart electric vehicles roll out on the streets around the world, it will help promote the image of a new, dynamic and progressive Vietnam to the global audience.”
With a luxurious design, integrated advanced smart technologies, attainable pricing and best-in-class after-sales policies, the VF 8 and VF 9 are VinFast’s premium electric SUV models in the D and E segments.
In addition to individual customers, VinFast has also received exceptional attention from fleet companies. At the Los Angeles Auto Show 2022, from November 17 to 28, 2022, VinFast announced a new order signed with Autonomy, the largest car subscription service firm in the US.
In addition to the VF 8 and VF 9, VinFast’s smart electric vehicle lineup comprises the VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 in the A, B, and C segments, respectively. VinFast is expected to initiate reservations of the VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 soon to meet the diverse needs of global customers.
Back in April, VinFast announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the government of North Carolina to establish the company’s first North American manufacturing plant. The company intends to invest up to $2 billion in the project’s first phase which will create thousands of jobs. In the same month, VinFast also announced it would partner with Electrify America in the US to make charging easier.
