First US-bound Vinfast EVs shipped for December supply

Vietnamese automaker Vinfast reported final week that it had shipped its first batch of 999 VF 8 electrical SUVs for the U.S., with the primary deliveries due earlier than the top of the calendar 12 months.

The EVs departed Hai Phong, Vietnam, Nov. 25 for what’s scheduled to be a 20-day voyage to California, the place they will be offloaded and despatched to clients, in response to an organization press launch. Following supply of the primary batch of U.S.-market automobiles, Vinfast plans to begin deliveries of the VF 8 in Canada in Europe in early 2023.

The VF 8 shall be adopted to market by the bigger VF 9, which can start deliveries in Vietnam and different markets within the first quarter of 2023, Vinfast stated, confirming a delayed timeline first hinted at in September, when the primary 100 VF 8 electrical SUVs have been handed over to clients within the automaker’s residence market.

 

In the identical launch, Vinfast famous that it signed a take care of subscription service Autonomy on the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Present for two,500 VF 8 and VF 9 fashions, however did not specify whether or not any automobiles from the preliminary cargo would go towards that order. Vinfast seems to be one of many 17 automakers Autonomy has reserved from, totaling 23,000 automobiles.

The VF 8 is 187.0 inches lengthy, 76.1 inches broad, and 65.6 inches tall. It launches in Eco and Plus types, each with dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains. The Eco model makes 349 hp and about 369 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Plus model makes 402 hp and about 457 lb-ft of torque. On the European/world WLTP cycle, Vinfast is claiming a spread of as much as 260 miles for the Eco and as much as 248 miles of the Plus.

As with Vietnamese-market fashions, Vinfast is anticipated to supply numerous driver-assist options within the U.S., together with freeway help, automated lane modifications, automated parking, and a summon characteristic. Vinfast additionally has a bundle of Sensible Providers, encompassing an app and options like voice recognition, and in-car on-line procuring and video video games.

Vinfast’s timeline within the U.S. has certainly been very quick. It established its U.S. headquarters simply final November, and that very same month displayed early prototypes of the VF 8 and VF 9—then named VF e35 and VF e36, respectively. A prototype drive confirmed the VF 8 had a protracted approach to go, however the firm has continued shifting quick, spooling up manufacturing and opening its first U.S. retail shops in July, in California. Vinfast has stated it’ll increase its retail footprint to different states sooner or later.

And whereas preliminary deliveries for the U.S. are being sourced from Vietnam, Vinfast is planning a manufacturing facility in North Carolina to construct U.S.-market VF 8 and VF 9 EVs beginning in 2024. The corporate obtained $1.2 billion in incentives for the manufacturing facility, which it claims is the most important financial incentive bundle ever from North Carolina.

Along with the VF 8 and VF 9, Vinfast stated it’ll quickly begin reservations for smaller VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7 fashions. A collaboration with Chinese language battery provider CATL could imply extra EVs for rising markets as effectively.