VinFast: a first factory will open in North America
VinFast, this new Vietnamese manufacturer, also intends to make its way in the race for the electrification of transport. The company is starting this adventure with 2 models in 2023, the VF 8 and VF 9, two all-electric SUVs expected later this year. These two models are also among those that will be built at this new plant in North Carolina, which will cost more than 2 billion US dollars to build, as the company announced yesterday midday.
Mid-2024 is the target opening period, when the plant will have a maximum production capacity of 150,000 cars per year. It will be located in North Carolina, United States, in the county of Chatham, located just 300 km from the Spartanburg factory of BMW. As mentioned above, the initial cost of this investment is estimated at 2 billion US dollars, but the plant will only represent part of the complex that will be built on the site. Indeed, we are talking more about 6 billion US dollars that will be invested in this gigantic complex.
Moreover, US President Joe Biden commented on the subject yesterday afternoon, stating that no less than 7,000 jobs would be created thanks to this project. In the longer term, VinFast expects to sell between 700,000 and 1 million electric vehicles within the next 5 to 6 years… ambitious figures, if we believe the 50,000 global pre-orders for their VF 8 and VF 9 models.
These models seem promising, however, as they will be available in Canada at a price of $51,250 and $69,750 respectively. The VF 8 model will be able to travel 504 km on a full charge, claims the manufacturer, and the VF 9 550. What’s more, the acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h estimated by the manufacturer will be 5.5 seconds for the smaller and lighter VF 8, while the beefier VF 9 will see this time increased to 6.5 seconds.
VinFast also offers a promotion that is available until April 5 on these two models, which is also known as VinFirst, the terms of which were listed by RPM last week.
