VinFast has delivered the first batch of 100 VF8 electric SUVs to customers in its home market of Vietnam before the start of international deliveries which are scheduled to begin from December 2022.
Related: Vietnam’s VinFast Unveils 2 Electric SUVs at LA Auto Show
The first VF8 vehicles were delivered to customers (those who made the earliest reservations) on 10th September during an event held at the VinFast manufacturing complex in Hai Phong, Vietnam. The event was live-streamed globally as it marked the official release of Vietnam’s first global smart electric car, which is ready to enter big markets including the United States, Canada, and Europe soon.
Following the initial deliveries in Vietnam, VinFast plans to export the next batch of approximately 5,000 VF8 SUVs to the US, Canada, and Europe from November, with the first customers in these countries to get their vehicles as early as December this year. Speaking on the occasion, Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup and Global CEO of VinFast said:
“Today’s event marks a turning point for Vietnam’s auto industry. In this historic moment, we are extremely happy to deliver the first batch of VF 8 all-electric vehicles to our pioneering customers in Vietnam. And very soon, the enthusiasm will be realized by more than 65,000 pioneering customers worldwide.”
VinFast VF8, which is a 5-seat compact electric SUV comes in two dual-motor AWD versions, the 260-kW (349-hp) Eco and 300-kW (402-hp) Plus, offering WLTP driving ranges of up to 418 kilometers and 399 kilometers respectively.
Related: VinFast Targets 1 million EV Sales Globally in 5/6 Years
While VinFast launched pre-sales of the VF8 and VF9 exclusively with a battery subscription, the company announced that as of September 1, 2022, it offers customers an option to purchase batteries with cars “to meet the diverse needs of customers.” Customers who made reservations to purchase a VF8 or VF9 before September 1, can keep their original battery subscription option and enjoy a permanent rate for the lifetime of their vehicle, or they can select to purchase the vehicle and battery together.
Scenes from VinFast VF8 handover ceremony
For USA, VinFast has priced the VF8 from $57,000 with battery included or $42,200 plus monthly battery subscription. The larger, three-row VF9 starts at $76,000 inclusive of battery or $57,500 plus a monthly battery subscription.
Related: VinFast to Stop Making ICE Vehicles
VinFast says it has almost 65,000 reservations globally for its electric SUVs, and it expects to sell 750,000 EVs per year by 2026. At least 150,000 of them may be built in the United States as the automaker earlier this year pledged to invest $4 billion in a new vehicle assembly plant in North Carolina. The new facility, which has secured $1.2 billion in incentives from North Carolina, is expected to be up and running by July 2024.
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