Given the challenging nature of the automotive industry, especially for newcomers, VinFast showcases potential and ambition to not just survive but thrive.
Key Takeaways:
- Electric Revolution: With Tesla paving the way, the automotive industry is experiencing an influx of electric car startups. However, the complexity and cash-intensiveness of this business make survival challenging, with many failing even before delivering their first vehicle.
- VinFast Stands Out: VinFast, originating from Vietnam, emerges as a potential powerhouse in this cutthroat environment. The writer’s firsthand experience, after visiting Asia to test drive the 2023 VF 8 electric SUV, reveals that VinFast has a promising future not just globally but especially in America.
- First Impressions: Although the writer’s drive was in a pre-production prototype of the VF 8, the vehicle showcased the company’s capabilities. VinFast plans to deliver the VF 8 to US customers by the end of the year and even aims to launch its larger variant, the VF 9 EV, within the same timeframe.
- Track Record: VinFast’s ambitious goals are backed by a proven record. Founded in 2017, the company was able to produce three different passenger cars in just 21 months, housed in a vast state-of-the-art facility in Haiphong. Though their initial models heavily relied on technology from other automakers, this accomplishment is still noteworthy.
VinFast’s ambitious entrance into the electric vehicle market, combined with their swift accomplishments in a short span, sets them apart. The company’s move to introduce the VF 8 in America is a testament to its global vision and determination to become a recognized name in the electric vehicle domain.