VinFast starts delivering the VF 9 in the US

Shortly after completing a billion-euro financing round, Vietnamese car manufacturer VinFast has started delivering its flagship model VF 9 to customers in the US and Canada. The first units were handed over at an event in Los Angeles.

vinfast vf 9 2023 01 min 1400x700 cropped — Image: VinFast

The “launch reinforces VinFast’s commitment to establishing a foothold in one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets, Vinfast emphasised in its press release.

Vinfast offers two versions of the VF 9 in the United States: the VF 9 Eco and the VF 9 Plus. The entry-level Eco model starts at 69,800 US dollars, while the Plus is available from 73,800 US dollars. The prices are thus significantly lower than those announced last year. At that time, VinFast wanted to ask 83,000 for the entry-level version and USD 91,000 for the Plus model. These estimates were then lowered last December to 79,800 US dollars for the Eco and 85,800 US dollars for the Plus model.

Mike Nolte, Network Sales Vice President of VinFast USA, stated, “We are very excited to officially hand over the VF 9, VinFast’s second e-SUV model in the US market. VF 9 is one of the few seven-passenger, 3-row electric car models on the market. We believe that the VF 9 will be the ideal vehicle for large families, delivering premium quality and a luxurious experience while maintaining excellent value.”

The VF 9 is positioned above the VF 8 and is intended to compete with family-orientated electric SUVs such as the Kia EV 9 or the Cadillac Vistiq. It is a three-row, all-electric SUV for seven people with a length of 5.12 metres, a width of 2.25 metres and a height of 1.70 metres. The motor has an output of 300 kW, and the battery has a capacity of 123 kWh. The WLTP range for the Eco model is 594 kilometres and 580 kilometres for the Plus model. At the DC charging speed, VinFast specifies a time of 35 minutes to charge the battery from 10 to 70 per cent.

However, VinFast’s service network in the US is still relatively small. It currently comprises 15 shops and four service centres in California, and partnerships with 36 dealers in 15 states. In Canada, on the other hand, there are ten showrooms and 57 certified workshops. However, North America is one of the most important expansion markets for VinFast. The company actually wanted to start producing vehicles directly in the US as early as this year – but it is now certain that its first factory in North Carolina will not open until 2028 at the earliest.

prnewswire.com, insideevs.com, theevreport.com (Canada)