Vinfast, the Vietnamese automotive start-up that took ownership of the former General Motors factory in Hanoi, has unveiled three new battery-electric crossover models that it plans to sell in the United States and Canada starting later this year.
The first of these three new Vinfast EV models is the VF31, a subcompact crossover with a 43 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, 114 horsepower electric motor and an estimated range of 186 miles. A more powerful model will also be on offer, which will ditch the 114 horsepower motor for a 200 horsepower unit.
Next up is the VF32, a slightly larger electric crossover with a 201 horsepower electric motor and 90 kWh battery. A more powerful version of the VF32 will also be available, which will feature two electric motors and boast a maximum output of 402 horsepower.
The largest of these three new electric crossover models is the VF33. Vinfast didn’t have very many details on the VF33 to share, but said it will feature a dual motor powertrain and will have a maximum range of 342 miles.
With Vinfast planning to open up the order books for these three new models in North America in November, it seems as though the VF31, VF32 and VF33 will serve as direct rivals to future battery-electric offerings from General Motors. Vinfast is still in its infancy, though, so it’s hard to say if the manufacturer will be able to launch all three of these electric models in the specified timeframe. The company also mentioned the crossovers will be available with Level 4 autonomy, onboard facial recognition and a virtual AI assistant, so it is clearly being highly ambitious with these three new products from a technology standpoint.
GM entered a strategic partnership with Vinfast in 2018 that made Vinfast the exclusive distributor of Chevy vehicles in Vietnam. Additionally, the Chevy Spark Activ is currently sold under the Vinfast banner in Vietnam as the Fadil and is produced at the former GM plant in Hanoi. At the time the partnership was announced, former GM International president Barry Engle said Vinfast was the “strongest possible local partner,” for GM in Vietnam and said the Vietnamese auto industry was “set to become a key growth engine for economic development,” in the years to come.
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Comments
An electric vehicle from Vietnam with only 114 HP and 186 miles range? I guess we now know what Vietnam does with their old sewing machine motors…
Another competitor operating and growing successfully out of a unwanted former GM factory
You know what, not the one in the first picture but other two actually look decent.
Hyundai took 30 years to be acknowledged for today, and Vietnamese car will be the same i dont trust their quality