Vietnam's VinFast to make first EV deliveries to US customers this week

A VF 8 City Edition auto. Photo: D.H. / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam's electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast announced on Monday that it would start the delivery of its first VF 8 City Edition vehicles to U.S. customers on March 1 (or March 2 in Vietnam). 

The delivery event will be held at the VinFast store in California.

These cars are part of the batch of 999 City Edition vehicles shipped to the U.S. in December last year. 

The VF 8 City Edition comes in both Eco and Plus trimmed with an EPA-rated range of 207 miles (333 kilometers) and 191 miles (307 kilometers), respectively, the company said.

VinFast also announced that it will repeatedly hold test-drive events across California so its customers can experience the EVs.

Le Thi Thu Thuy, chairwoman of VinFast, said the firm had worked tirelessly to offer the best possible EVs to customers.

“The presence of VinFast’s electric cars on U.S. streets in the coming days is an important milestone, initiating VinFast’s journey to compete in the international market," Thuy added.

“Following the delivery in the U.S., VinFast’s EVs are expected to run on streets in Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.”

She said that the main insurance firms in the U.S. have confirmed they will provide vehicle insurance for VinFast EVs.  

The company will also offer a 10-year warranty for its vehicles and batteries, mobile repair services, and around-the-clock roadside assistance.

The VF 8 City Edition includes many advanced technological features, including Advanced Driver Assistance System and Smart Services, and will be updated regularly over-the-air (FOTA) to improve vehicle functionality and customer experience.

VinFast, an arm of Vietnam's largest private conglomerate VinGroup, was established in 2017.

It owns a smart car manufacturing factory in Hai Phong city, northern Vietnam with an automation rate of 90 percent, Lao Dong (Labor) newspaper reported.

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