Vietnamese automaker VinFast has launched its second vehicle in the U.S.
“VinFast Auto has officially commenced delivery of its flagship VF 9 all-electric, 7-passenger, 3-row SUV to U.S. customers,” the company announced this week.
Related: What Is VinFast? All About The New Vietnamese Automaker
About VinFast
Several startup automakers have launched in the U.S. in recent years, almost all building exclusively electric cars. VinFast is unique among them for its financial backing – it’s an offshoot of VinGroup, Vietnam’s largest company.
VinGroup has made money in everything from construction to healthcare. It operates its own university and amusement parks in its home country.
Starting up a new automaker is challenging because it involves immense costs before the new company can claim its first sale. Building up enough sales to overcome those costs means enduring many years of losses.
Deep pockets could help VinFast survive the rough early days inevitable for a startup automaker. Lack of capital has claimed several young EV builders, including Fisker and Lordstown Motors, before they built up escape velocity. Neither, however, had a multinational conglomerate helping pay the bills.
Its Second U.S. Product Comes After Its Troubled First
VinFast does have that financial backing. That hasn’t saved it from some early headaches, though. Its first product, the VF 8, endured abysmal early reviews.
However, many of the problems that caused the automotive press to reject the first VF8s were related to programming and tuning various parts. The company could improve all of them quickly without a major industrial overhaul.
Related: VinFast May Offer A $13,500 Electric Vehicle
The VF 9 shares many of the VF 8’s underpinnings. So, testing the 3-row SUV will help us see how far the company has come.
“Beginning in November, the VF 9 will be available for delivery across VinFast’s retail store network in California and through its dealerships, with prices starting at $69,800 for the Eco version and $73,800 for the Plus version,” VinFast says.
“As part of a limited-time promotion for the first 100 VF 9 vehicles delivered in the U.S., VinFast is offering qualified lessees the Plus version for a lease price of $529 per month,” the company says. “This rate includes a direct discount of $3,500 and a down payment of $2,000. VinFast VF 9 Eco will be available in the U.S. market later this year.”
