Vietnamese automaker VinFast delivered the first batch of its stylish VF 9 crossover to domestic customers this week and is preparing to export the three-row EV to North America in the coming months.
Meanwhile, VinFast said it will send a second shipment of its two-row VF 8 crossover to the United States and Canada in April. The coming VF 8 Standard Edition will have more range than City Edition models delivered to U.S. customers starting in March, which were rated by the EPA at about 200 miles of range — that's about 320 kilometres — depending on the configuration.
VinFast has promised to quickly create an entire lineup of EVs for global markets after building gasoline-powered vehicles for its home market starting in 2017. Last year, VinFast stopped making combustion-engine models. The company made its first EV, the e34, for domestic buyers in 2021.
The VF 9 is the flagship vehicle for the EV newcomer, with a starting price of US$83,000 before shipping, according to VinFast's U.S. website. Canadian pricing stars at C$103,750.
VinFast sells directly online and has nine stores in California, where it has its North American headquarters.