VinFast is part of the conglomerate Vingroup, which deals with industry, hotels, technology and real estate, the company said. Vingroup, established in 1993, has a total capitalization of $ 35 billion from three public companies as of November 2021.
During a presentation at CES in Las Vegas in January, VinFast showed the VF 8, VF 9 and released three additional EV models. The three new cars are smaller crossovers, but the automaker has not offered details of availability in the future.
VinFast told CES that prices for the VF 8 will start at $ 41,000 excluding the battery that needs to be rented out through a monthly payment. Prices for the three-row crossover VF 9 start at $ 56,000 excluding the battery. The first batch of supplies is expected in the US by the end of the year, according to VinFast.
VinFast reports on its booking website that the VF 8 will have 402 hp. and accelerate to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The automaker estimates the range of the 5-seater crossover at 316.9 miles based on the WLTP standard used in Europe. The EPA range test in the U.S. typically results in lower numbers than the WLTP test.
The three-line VF 9 has the same power as its smaller sibling, and VinFast estimates acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The range is estimated at 422.5 miles on the WLTP test. The large crossover can be tuned for 6 or 7 seats, the automaker said.
North Carolina is the last state in the southeastern United States to attract significant investment from the fast-electrified automotive industry. Earlier this year, startup EV Rivian announced plans to build a $ 5 billion truck plant near Atlanta.
Ford Motor Co. will build F-Series electric pickups and next-generation state-of-the-art batteries at a huge new “mega-campus” in Tennessee.
And in Alabama, Mercedes is set to begin production of the EV at its 6 million-square-foot plant in the U.S., which comes from a new battery assembly plant near its assembly plant in Vance, Alabama.
