VinFast
You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Vietnamese. (June 2019) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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Company type | Public |
---|---|
Nasdaq: VFS | |
Industry | Automotive |
Founded | June 2017 |
Headquarters | |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Lê Thị Thu Thuỷ (CEO) Phạm Nhật Vượng (Chair, Founder) |
Products | Automobiles Motorcycles Commercial vehicles[3] |
Parent | Vingroup |
Website | vinfastauto |
VinFast Auto Ltd. is a Vietnamese-founded automotive company headquartered in Singapore.[4] Established in 2017 in Hải Phòng, it is a member of the conglomerate organization Vingroup, one of the largest private conglomerates in Vietnam that was founded by Phạm Nhật Vượng.[5][6][7] It is the first Vietnamese car brand to expand into global markets as well as the first to expand into producing electric vehicles (EV) such as electric cars and electric scooters.[8]
History
The company was founded in 2017 by Vingroup.[9] The company designed its models with the help of Pininfarina, BMW and Magna Steyr and participated in the 2018 Paris Motor Show. VinFast claims it will be the first volume automotive manufacturer in Vietnam as well as the first Vietnamese automaker to participate in a major international auto show.[citation needed]
VinFast broke ground in September 2017 on an 828-acre (3,350,000 m2) facility in an industrial park located on Cat Hai Island near the city of Hai Phong. The factory with paint shop, press shop, assembly shop and engine shop was built in just 21 months.[10] The investment is US$1.5 billion in the first phase of a program to make cars and electric motorbikes at a greenfield factory on the facilities. The company claimed that it has aggregated talent from multiple established companies and is sourcing European design, engineering, and production technology partners. The first two vehicles that were shown at Paris motorshow in the fall of 2018 are the LUX SA2.0 and the LUX A2.0, designed by Pininfarina.
In 2018 General Motors announced a partnership between Chevrolet and VinFast. VinFast will have exclusive rights to distribute Chevys in Vietnam and will take ownership of the existing General Motors (GM Korea) factory in Hanoi (VIDAMCO). That factory will then build a GM-licensed "all-new global small car" to be sold under the VinFast name.[11]
VinFast signed two contracts with Siemens Vietnam, a unit of Siemens AG, for the supply of technology and components to manufacture electric buses in Southeast Asian countries in August 2018.[12]
On 21 March 2019, VinFast sent the first batch of 155 VinFast Lux cars, 113 completed vehicles and 42 semi-finished cars, abroad in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa to conduct field tests for quality testing and to qualify for a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.[13]
VinFast would have been the title sponsor of the inaugural edition of the Formula One Vietnamese Grand Prix, which was due to take place during the 2020 season. The race was later cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.[14]
In Q1 2020, VinFast was the fifth best-selling car brand in Vietnam.[15]
On 25 February 2020, it was reported that VinFast vehicles were spotted in South Africa for field tests at Kakamas in the Northern Cape Province and in Cape Town.[16]
On 10 September 2020, VinFast announced a loss of VND 6.6 trillion ($284 million) in the first half of the year.[17]
In December 2020, VinFast released preliminary images of a pickup truck being developed weeks after the Lang Lang testing centre was purchased.[18] Other vehicles in development included a three-door hatchback, two different coupe-type SUVs, a small SUV, a four-door coupe, a couple of people movers and electric scooters.[18] According to the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, the patents for these vehicles are set to expire on 14 January 2024.[19]
On 27 July 2021, parent Vingroup announced that Michael Lohscheller, the CEO of Opel, had been appointed CEO of VinFast Global.[20] Five months later, on 27 December 2021, it was announced that Lohscheller had resigned the position.[21]
On 30 September 2021, VinFast reported that Cerence software will be used for its electric vehicles as an intelligence voice assistant.[22]
On 25 December 2021, Vinfast delivered the first batch of 100 VF e34 electric crossovers to Vietnamese customers at VinFast's manufacturing complex in Hai Phong. The VF e34 marks VinFast's first EV model and the first ever electric vehicle to be manufactured and sold in Vietnam.[23]
On 6 January 2022, reports emerged that VinFast plans to build new EV plants in Germany and the United States as part of the company's plans to retire production of gas-powered vehicles and transition fully to EVs by late 2022.[24]
Move to Singapore, efforts to go public
VinFast appeared to making its first efforts to become a public company in early 2021. Sources told Reuters that the automaker planned to merge with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in the United States.[25] On 28 May 2021, the plan was put on hold due to SPAC scrutiny.[26]
VinFast announced on 7 April 2022 that it planned an initial public offering (IPO) through a Singapore-based holding company.[27] A few weeks later on 24 May 2022, Vinfast announced that it would be moving its headquarters to Singapore, with the company stating that "We feel that Singapore is a jurisdiction that will give investors more confidence."[1] Singapore will be its legal and financial headquarters while Vietnam remains its operational headquarters. However, at the same time, the company said it would again put its plans to go public on hold.[28]
VinFast announced in July 2023 that it was planning to merge with a SPAC operated by Black Spade Capital. The move allows the company to avoid the process of issuing an IPO. The transaction, valued at $23 billion was completed on 14 August 2023, and the company finally went public on the US-based Nasdaq exchange on 15 August 2023.[29][30][31]
Overseas operations
On 31 July 2018, VinFast GmbH was established in Frankfurt, Germany.[32] The office is in charge of distributing auto parts and other related services.[32] On the same day it was announced that VinFast will set up branch offices in Shanghai, China and Seoul, South Korea.[32]
In February 2020, ex-Holden engineers were being recruited by VinFast in Port Melbourne, making Australia the second overseas country to have a branch after the company moved in December 2019.[33][34] The branch, known as VinFast Engineering Australia, is staffed by ex-Ford, Holden and Toyota employees[35] and opened on 12 June 2020.[36] On 6 May 2021, the Port Melbourne office was announced to be closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily.[37] The Lang Lang test track is not affected by the closure.[38]
On 29 March 2022, Vinfast announced it would locate its first North American auto plant in Chatham County, North Carolina.[39] The auto manufacturer will create 7,500 jobs.[40] In July 2023, the company broke ground at its electric vehicle manufacturing site, located within the Triangle Innovation Point in Chatham County, North Carolina.[41]
Export plans
In April 2019, VinFast reported that the Lux SA2.0 and Sedan Lux A2.0 were the first two models introduced to Russia at the end of 2018.[42] According to Auto.Vesti, the models are expected to be sold throughout Russia by the end of 2020.[42] Vuong mentioned that electric vehicles will be sold in the country after 2021.[43]
It was announced in December 2019 that VinFast plans to market electric vehicles to the United States by 2021.[44]
In December 2020, VinFast reportedly mentioned that the company plans to sell its vehicles in Australia with no date mentioned.[18]
On 22 January 2021, VinFast unveiled three finalized designs of their electric SUV models VF31, VF32, VF33 intended for US, Canada, Germany, France and the Netherlands export markets.[25]. Of which, VF32 and VF33 are available in both gasoline and electric engine versions. These vehicles are stated to meet the NHTSA, Euro NCAP and ASEAN NCAP 5 star-ratings and feature self-driving capabilities thanks to a suite of electronic driver-assist features.[45] In July 2021, VinFast appointed Michael Lohscheller, who previously worked as an executive of Volkswagen America and as CEO of Opel, to lead its overseas operations.[46] The VF31 was later rebranded as VF e34 and became available in Europe in November 2021.[47]
Vinfast announced plans to open two VinFast showrooms in California with one showroom in Santa Monica on 24 May 2022.[28]
On 16 November 2022, the first VinFast showroom opened in Toronto at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre.[48]
Etymology
The name VinFast is an abbreviation of Vietnamese words:[9]
- Việt Nam (Vietnam)
- Phong cách (Style, spelled Ph as F)
- An toàn (Safety)
- Sáng tạo (Creativity)
- Tiên phong (Pioneer)
Products
Automobiles
VinFast announced their first two models, the LUX A2.0 and the LUX SA2.0, at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Both models are based on previous generation BMW products with various changes and enhancements, including the extensive redesign of the chassis to meet future international safety standards. Both will come in rear-wheel drive and all wheel drive, and both will be powered by the licensed BMW N20 turbocharged petrol engine in 175 bhp and 227 bhp options. Comprehensive reliability and safety testings have been completed. Production of both models started in 2019.[49][50]
In January 2022, Vinfast announced it will put an end to the production of its internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles lineup by the end of 2022. The company will instead focus research and development efforts on battery electric vehicles.[51]
Collectively, in the first 48 hours of being able to sell electric automobiles, more than 24,000 orders have been placed, with 15,237 placed for the VF8 as well as 9,071 for the VF9.[52]
- VinFast LUX A2.0 – executive sedan, based on the F10 BMW 5 Series.[49][53]
- VinFast LUX SA2.0 – mid-size luxury crossover, based on the F15 BMW X5.[49][53]
- VinFast President – V8 version of the LUX SA2.0, selling as a 500 unit limited-edition, at a price of VND 4.6 billion and featuring additional luxury features over the model it is based on.[54] The President is understood to have a GM-sourced LS3 V8 engine.[55]
- VinFast Fadil – city car manufactured under license to General Motors as a rebadged variant of the Opel Karl.[56] It will be priced under 500 million VND (US$21,500).[57][58] The first Fadils from regular production were finished on June 14, 2019,[59] delivery to the first pre-order customers took place on June 17.[60] The price of the Fadil in Vietnam is ₫394,500,000 (US$16,900).[61]
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Vinfast Lux A2.0
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Vinfast Lux SA2.0
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VinFast President
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VinFast Fadil
Electric automobiles
- VinFast VF e34 - C-segment (compact) SUV exclusively for the Vietnam market. The company's first EV offering. Deliveries began in December 2021.
- VinFast VF 3 - compact mini car designed for the Vietnam market. Two-door vehicle with seating for five. Deliveries expected to begin in late 2024.
- VinFast VF 5 - A-segment (city car) SUV for the Vietnam market. Deliveries began in 2023.
- VinFast VF 6 - B-segment (sub-compact) SUV for the global market. Deliveries expected to begin in 2023.
- VinFast VF 7 - C-segment (compact) SUV for the global market. Deliveries expected to begin in 2023.
- VinFast VF 8 (formerly known as VF32 and VF e35) – D-segment (mid-size) SUV for the global market. Deliveries expected to begin in 2023.
- VinFast VF 9 (formerly known as VF33 and VF e36) – E-segment (full-size) SUV for the global market. Deliveries began in 2023.
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Vinfast VF e34
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Vinfast VF 5
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VinFast VF 6
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VinFast VF 7
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VinFast VF 8
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VinFast VF 9
Electric scooters
VinFast has planned to produce seven different electric motorcycle models by 2019. It has signed agreements with state owned petrol distributor PV Oil to have charging stations built at existing gas stations.[62]
- VinFast Klara – VinFast's first electric motorcycle model launched in November 2018. It has a range of 80 kilometres (50 mi) and a maximum speed of 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph). VinFast signed an agreement with Bosch-Vietnam, a division of Bosch, for the supply of components.[62] The batteries are supplied by a joint venture with LG Chem.[63] Two versions of the Klara are sold, featuring lead acid and lithium ion batteries respectively. The Klara features 3G and bluetooth connectivity to allow remote lock and unlock and tracking.[64]
- VinFast Ludo
- VinFast Impes
- VinFast Klara S
- VinFast Theon – equipped with a mid-engine and chain transmission system with a power of up to 7,100W. It can reach a power of 9,000W equivalent to 12 horsepower and a maximum torque of 22.27Nm, accelerate from 0 to 50 km per hour in just six seconds and reach a maximum speed of 90 km/h.
- VinFast Feliz
- VinFast Tempest
- VinFast Vento
- Evo200
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VinFast Klara
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VinFast Ludo
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VinFast Impes
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VinFast Klara S
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VinFast Theon
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VinFast Klara S
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VinFast Tempest
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VinFast Vento
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VinFast Evo200
Production facilities
VinFast operates a 335 hectares (1.29 sq mi) greenfield factory at Cat Hai Island, Hai Phong. The factory produces, cars, motorbikes and parts for either of them.[65] In 2017, VinFast also acquired GM Vietnam's Hanoi factory (VIDAMCO).[66]
In September 2020, VinFast purchased the Lang Lang Proving Ground in Australia from General Motors.[67] Vinfast purchased the former Holden proving ground for $30 million and settled on the purchase on 2 November.[68] In October 2021, VinFast disbanded its local engineering operations and put the Lang Lang Proving Ground test track up for sale.[69]
Controversy
On May 2021, VinFast reported one of its customers, Tran Van Hoang, a Vietnamese YouTuber, to the police over comments that the customer made on his YouTube video about the quality of his VinFast Lux A2.0 car. VinFast claimed that the video contained "untrue content" that "affected the reputation" of the company.[70] On the video, Hoang complained about faults in the tire pressure sensor, the windshield wipers, the wireless phone charger, squeaking doors, and he also complained about his experience with the dealer.[71]
See also
References
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- ^ "Form 8-A12B". www.sec.gov. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "VinFast looks for electric motorcycle distributors". VNS. VinGroup. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
- ^ "Vietnam EV maker VinFast to shift legal HQ to Singapore ahead of first exports". Reuters. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Constructeur". Paris Motor Show. Archived from the original on 3 April 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
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- ^ "Le constructeur vietnamien VinFast dévoile ses deux premiers modèles de voitures" [Vietnamese manufacturer VinFast unveils first two car models] (in French). Le Progrès. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
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- ^ "Vinfast to manufacture pick-up trucks". THE VOICE OF VIETNAM. 11 December 2020.
- ^ "Michael Lohscheller Appointed New CEO of VinFast Global". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "Ex-Opel chief Lohscheller steps down as CEO of VinFast". Automotive News Europe. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "Biometrics to replace car keys for Genesis vehicle, Cerence voice control deployed by VinFast | Biometric Update". 30 September 2021.
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- ^ "US IPO of VinFast could be delayed due to scrutiny over SPAC". Vietnam Investment Review. 28 May 2021.
- ^ Nguyen, Phuong (8 April 2022). "Vietnamese automaker VinFast files for U.S. IPO to fund expansion". Reuters.
- ^ a b "Vietnam EV maker VinFast to shift legal HQ to Singapore ahead of first exports".
- ^ Gordon, Brian (9 August 2023). "You will soon be able to buy VinFast stock. But it's taking a different path to market". News and Observer.
- ^ Craver, Richard (10 August 2023). "VinFast merger gains shareholder approval; stock to begin trading Tuesday". Winston-Salem Journal.
- ^ Rosevear, Sheila; Chiang, John (15 August 2023). "Vietnamese EV maker VinFast debuts on the Nasdaq after completing SPAC merger". CNBC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "VinFast German subsidiary gets license, Korea, China next – VnExpress International". VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam.
- ^ "Vietnam's VinFast enters Australia, eyes Holden assets – paultan.org". 28 February 2020.
- ^ "Holden targeted by Vietnamese start-up". 25 February 2020.
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- ^ "GRAND OPENING OF VINFAST'S OFFICE IN AUSTRALIA". VinGroup.
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- ^ "What the $4B VinFast plant means for the Triangle – and the state | WRAL TechWire". wraltechwire.com. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Governor Cooper Announces VinFast Automotive Selects North Carolina for Electric Vehicle Assembly Plant". governor.nc.gov. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ Đức Anh, Nguyễn (29 July 2023). "VINFAST BREAKS GROUND AT NORTH CAROLINA ELECTRIC VEHICLE FACILITY". VF. Retrieved 1 August 2023.<
- ^ a b "VinFast automobiles to be sold in Russia". Vietnam Investment Review. 8 April 2019.
- ^ "VinFast aiming to sell electric vehicles in the US, Europe, Russia by 2021 – founder to invest US$2 bil – paultan.org". 16 December 2019.
- ^ "Vietnam's richest man bets US$2bil to sell cars to US | The Star". www.thestar.com.my.
- ^ "Vietnam's Vinfast reveals trio of electric crossovers, including 2 for US". Motor Authority. 3 March 2023.
- ^ "VinFast hires former Volkswagen executive as new global CEO". VnExpress International. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Krijgsman, Lars (26 March 2021). "Elektrische Vinfast VF 31 wordt VF e34". Autoweek.nl.
- ^ "Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast launches first showroom in Canada". thestar.com. 16 November 2022.
- ^ a b c Hilton Holloway (2 October 2018). "Vinfast to launch Lux A2.0 and Lux AS2.0 saloon and SUV". Autocar. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
- ^ Williams2019-09-11T13:19:00+01:00, Marcus. "VinFast ramps up production in Vietnam". Automotive Logistics.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Desk, HT Auto (6 January 2022). "Vietnam's indigenous carmaker VinFast to stop making ICE vehicles in a year". Hindustan Times Auto News. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
{{cite web}}
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has generic name (help) - ^ Tức 24h, Tin. "Hơn 24.000 đơn hàng dành cho các mẫu xe điện VinFast trong 48 tiếng". Tin tức 24h (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 10 January 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Matthew H Tong (10 March 2018). "VinFast LUX A2.0 sedan and LUX SA2.0 SUV debut in Paris – BMW-based models to go on sale in June 2019". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
- ^ "VinFast enters luxury segment with new SUV – VnExpress International". VnExpress International.
- ^ "2021 Vinfast President: What is Vinfast?". CarExpert.com.au. 22 September 2020.
- ^ Luca Ciferri (29 September 2018). "Vietnam's VinFast taps European suppliers to become a global player". Automotive News Europe. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
- ^ Ngọc Tuấn (10 November 2018). "Mẫu ôtô thứ ba của VinFast lộ diện, mang tên Fadil" [The third car model of VinFast is revealed, named Fadil] (in Vietnamese). VnExpress. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ "VinFast Fadil, mẫu ô tô giá rẻ có giá dưới 500 triệu đồng ra mắt vào 20/11" [VinFast Fadil, a low-cost car model priced at under VNĐ500 million, was launched on 20 November]. VTC News. MSN. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ "Vietnam's foray into auto manufacturing comes at a cost". The National. 21 June 2019.
- ^ "VinFast Starts Production Of Two Cars Designed By Pininfarina At Its New Plant – NDTV CarAndBike". CarAndBike.
- ^ "$17,000 Hatchback From Vietnam Rolls Out to Take on Ford and Toyota". Bloomberg.com. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ a b Ha Vy (3 November 2018). "Vinfast launches electric motorcycle". Vietnam Investment Review. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ Dylan Pastoor. "Vinfast and the Electric Vehicle Market in Vietnam" (PDF).
- ^ chuyengiaphaxe. "VinFast ra mắt xe tay ga điện Klara – pin Lithium-ion, 3G, GPS, bán ra tháng này". Tinhte.vn.
- ^ "Auto industry seeks to develop components segment". Retail News Asia. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "GM forms partnership with Vietnam's VinFast". Financial Times. 28 June 2018. (subscription required)
- ^ Holden's Lang Lang proving grounds sold to Vietnamese start-up VinFast, GMSV to continue testing on site The West Australian 9 September 2020
- ^ "Vinfast settles on Lang Lang proving ground with $30m purchase price". CarExpert.com.au. 3 November 2020.
- ^ Holden test track for sale again for second time Drive.com.au 25 October 2021
- ^ Pearson, James (4 May 2021). "Vietnam's VinFast reports customer to police after 'untrue' YouTube complaints". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Vietnam's VinFast Reports Owner To Police For "Untrue" Criticisms About His Car In YouTube Video". Carscoops. 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
External links
- Business data for VinFast Auto Ltd.:
- Vietnamese brands
- Companies of Singapore
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2017
- Car brands
- Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers
- Electric motorcycles
- Battery electric vehicle manufacturers
- Electric vehicle manufacturers of Vietnam
- Car manufacturers of Vietnam
- Bus manufacturers of Vietnam
- Electric bus manufacturers
- Companies listed on the Nasdaq
- Special-purpose acquisition companies
- VinFast