VinFast is impressive, this car brand lives up to its name and has launched at high speed. It is arriving in France with two 100% electric SUVs. Obviously, we were interested in it.
You will come across more and more Vinfast ads on Facebook, and that’s no coincidence. This car brand is launching in France with 100% electric cars.
Who is VinFast?
Let’s start by looking at their name: “FAST” in the name VinFast is an acronym in Vietnamese, representing the company’s stated goals, but it obviously seems that in English it means something done quickly.
This new car brand was announced in the fall of 2017, and just a year later, VinFast had three gasoline cars in Vietnam and an electric scooter factory. By summer 2019, the company had completed a 3,347 km² car factory in Hai Phong and was delivering its first cars right away.
VinFast founder Pham Nhat Vuong announced in 2021 that his company would switch to electric vehicles. By the end of the year, it was selling electric scooters, electric buses and the VF e34, a small electric SUV the size of a Peugeot 2008, with promises of two larger models to come, the VF8 and the VF9.
The story of this Vietnamese co-founder is quite a story. He grew up in Hanoi, where his mother ran a tea room. He then studied in Moscow, then moved to Ukraine where he opened a noodle restaurant that became popular enough to become an instant soup company, Technocom.
Nestlé bought the brand and Pham Nhat Vuong returned to his homeland, where he started a chain of resorts and became Vietnam’s first billionaire. Things went very quickly, knowing that he is 53 years old in 2022.
For its arrival in France, VinFast markets two vehicles: the VF8 and VF9.
The VF8 is an SUV
The VF8 the size of a Peugeot 3008 or a Volvo XC60, it is the smaller of the two models. The brand aims to position itself as a premium brand, with lower prices than those charged by European brands of course.
The entry-level is called VF8 Eco, its price starts at 43,050 euros (which makes it eligible for the biggest ecological bonus) with the smallest battery at 82 kWh of useful capacity which offers 420 km of autonomy (WLTP ). You can opt for a larger battery of 87.7 kWh, with 471 km of autonomy. This entry-level version still offers a 350 hp and 500 Nm powertrain, for a 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. Note that all VinFast cars released in France are equipped with two engines with all-wheel drive.
Note that these are prices with battery included, so there will be a more accessible option with a battery rental system with full guarantee (like the Renault Zoé before), for 120 euros per month in addition without mileage condition. The Vietnamese manufacturer will offer in the future to be able to buy the battery, but this is not currently the case. Finally, a cheaper subscription will be offered, but with limited mileage.
The top of the range is the more powerful VF8 Plus (408 hp, up to 620 Nm, 5.5 seconds for the 0 to 100 km/h), where you will also have the choice between two batteries with shorter autonomy ( range from 400 km to 447 km). This Plus version is available from 50,900 euros. It is a version that offers many options, including heated and ventilated seats, as well as leather upholstery.
This VF8 Plus model also has the panoramic roof that you can open as well as bigger rims (20 or 21 inches) and electrochromic mirrors. Even the second-row seats are heated and ventilated.
As you can see in the photos, the cabin incorporates a large 15.6-inch screen in landscape mode, like the Model 3 and Model Y. The on-board infotainment system is in-house, with OTA updates, which facilitate vehicle maintenance. The promised experience resembles that of Tesla, with a dedicated application, of course, but also games and on-board streaming apps to keep busy while charging.
These cars also have the Smart Driving Pack, but it’s optional. It’s an all-in-one pack that offers automatic lane change, advanced parking assistance, auto park, voice assistant, 360 degree monitoring… for 7,250 euros or 150 euros/month in subscription.
Finally, regardless of the version, the charging speed is 250 kW in DC. This is a good point to be able to take advantage of the fast charges of Ionity, Tesla, TotalEnergies or Fastned.
The VF9 is a 7-seater SUV
The VinFast VF9 is much bigger, it is the equivalent of a Peugeot 5008, a Volvo XC90 or even the Mercedes EQB. It is therefore a 7-seater version with a third row.
Like the VF8, we find ourselves with two levels of finish as well as the choice between two batteries (92 and 123 kWh, from 423 to 580 km of WLTP autonomy). It is very similar to the VF8, with a maximum torque of 620 Nm, whatever the version. The high-end version, More, has the panoramic glass roof as well as heated and ventilated seats with the massage option as well. The performances are very similar between the Eco version and the Plus version, 7.5 seconds for the 0 to 100 km/h with the first battery, 6.5 seconds with the second battery.
Prices start at 58,700 euros (entry level, small battery with 438 km of autonomy) up to 64,100 euros (Plus version with large battery for 580 km of autonomy). The prices will certainly be lower, because the 150 euros subscription per month for the rental of the battery will make it possible to lower this selling price.
Note that we don’t know the price of cars with the rental option, which is the only option available for launch.
What we think
Like all new manufacturers, most of them Chinese, we approach these launches in Europe with suspicion. Especially since the brand is very young. To go quickly, VinFast has outsourced everything, so we end up with the same problems as many manufacturers. The cost of production is high which does not allow them to lower the price of cars.
We are also wary of the warranty… it is 10 years and 200,000 kilometres. But what happens if the manufacturer withdraws from the European market? Nothing can guarantee the success of this very young brand.
In addition, according to our calculations, the WLTP consumption is expected between 18.6 and 21 kWh per 100 kilometers, which seems high. The batteries are very large to compensate for this excessive consumption.
Finally, there is currently no trial available. Few images and few videos, and therefore many questions.
Nevertheless, the Vinfast VF8 and VF9 are two large Vietnamese SUVs with a long range and fairly aggressive prices. It’s always more competition and therefore a little more choice for consumers.
We do not rule out success. The king of instant noodles has a reputation for achieving the impossible and VinFast has the backing of an empire and the attention of a truly committed passionate man.
Incidentally, on April 7, 2022, VinFast registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for an IPO that will take place in the second half of the year. The Vietnamese group needs money.
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