Vietnam’s VinFast is all set to enter Australian market and is eyeing to get hold of Holden’s assets, the historic Australian brand which was recently discontinued by General Motors (GM). Reportedly VinFast is interested in acquiring General Motors design and engineering facilities – including the Lang Lang test center.
Related: VinFast Unveils Vietnam’s First Cars at Paris Motor Show
VinFast made global headlines when it unveiled two models– a sedan and an SUV at the Paris motor show in October 2018. Both the vehicles were based on BMW platform and were designed in assistance with famous design studio Pininfarina.
VinFast LuxA2.0 sedan & LuxSA2.0 SUV
VinFast has already established VinFast Engineering Australia in Port Melbourne in December 2019 and has hired Holden engineers too. The company aims to initially employ a few hundred engineers at the center. According to VinFast Deputy CEO Jim DeLuca:
“Australia is a developed automobile market which has available suppliers, skills that VinFast wants to tap into. VinFast Engineering Australia is responsible for product development for some of our future car models.”
VinFast LuxA2.0 sedan & LuxSA2.0 SUV
VinFast has already hired a slew of Australian automotive managers in recent times, including manufacturing global vice-president manufacturing and engineering Shaun Calvert, who worked for Holden and GM from 2001 to 2017. Senior recruitment at VinFast Engineering Australia also include 25-year Holden and GM veteran Kevin Yardley and chassis & powertrain integration chief Joe Sawyer, a 23-year Holden veteran.
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It is said that up to 800 people are currently employed at Holden, including hundreds of engineering and design staff, so the pool for VinFast is big. Jim DeLuca goes on to say:
“We have many Australian colleagues in our plant in Vietnam who have joined us right at the beginning of the project. They have been a critical part of our family and contributing to the success of our company.”
VinFast LuxA2.0 sedan & LuxSA2.0 SUV
VinFast is part of the Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest privately held business, with assets valued at up to $35 billion. The owner is a Russian-educated Vietnamese Pham Nhat Vuong, who began his business career selling noodles in the Ukraine. He made his first fortune when he sold that business to Nestle for $150m and then returned home 25 years ago to establish Vingroup. The multi-faceted corporation with interests in real estate, the health industry and education, is reported to have already invested up to $3.5 billion in VinFast.
VinFast LuxSA2.0 SUV was spotted testing in South Africa
Besides tapping in the Australian market, VinFast is also testing its vehicles in South Africa where its SUV was spotted doing hot weather testing in Northern Cape Town. Vinfast says it will eventually start exports hoping to be a top car manufacturer in ASEAN, making 500,000 cars per annum by year 2025. It expects to produce 100,000 to 200,000 vehicles per year in the first phase. The company has also shown its intent to enter USA in 2021.
Related: Vietnamese Automaker VinFast Going Mainstream
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https://www.carspiritpk.com/2018/10/vinfast-unveils-vietnams-first-cars-at-paris-motor-show/
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
