Last week, VinFast made its American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show with the world premiere of two electric vehicles – the VF e35 and VF e36. The SUVs will go on sale in North America and Europe starting next year, the Vietnamese carmaker said.
We obviously couldn’t be there for the reveal, but one person who was present is Alex Hirschi, better known as Supercar Blondie. She was able to get an up-close-and-personal look at the cars, showing off some of the design details – like the signature V-shaped front and rear lighting and the connection with design house Pininfarina – and sharing the headline figures.
To recap, the e35 is designed to compete with the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4, while the e36 is a massive three-row BMW X7-sized model taking the Model X. Both models get a minimalist interior with a huge 15.4-inch centre touchscreen and no instrument cluster (a head-up display instead shows key information), with the e36’s third row of seats also just about visible in the video.
They will also get a full complement of cameras and sensors – including lidar – to provide Level 3 semi-autonomous driving capability. In terms of powertrains, the e35 and e36 are available with twin electric motors that provide all-wheel drive and a total system output of 300 kW (408 PS); the e35 can also be had as a cheaper single-motor version with 150 kW (204 PS).
Depending on the battery fitted, the e35 is capable of between 459 km and 499 km of range, while the e36 can do between 484 km and a massive 679 km on a single charge. Pre-orders start in the first half of 2022, with deliveries slated to kick off in the fourth quarter. According to Alex in the video, the company plans to open 60 dealerships in California alone.
GALLERY: Vinfast VF e35 and e36
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
VinFast was found in 2017..now already introduce its 1st EV SUV, exporting to USA soon….
while in bolehland, we still debate if to adopt biodiesel or ban Toto/4D
That’s what we call progress.
After we lost out to Thailand, now the rest of our neighbours will pass us soon too.
Viet rulers are smart never waste time on championing race&cult propagation, making sure Vinfast truly holds the title “BMW of Asia”
Vinfast can only sell in USA becuz it simply rebadge BMW car models already sold there. Vinfast business model have very little bearing to the viability in their homeland as only the top 1-2% only could afford their cars making it neither attractive as a luxury brand without the name, nor as a national car with such prices.
Sounds a lot like Proton who also rebadges Geely vehicles and only the elite can afford EVs in Malaysia like the Taycan.
Geely is still a regular mass market passenger carmaker with similar stance with Proton. Their market is to the masses, so it justifies Proton’s tag as national carmaker. What about Vinfast, selling to the uber rich crowd where their rakyat would hardly see their so-called national car brand.
Bear in mind. To enter an already competitive car maker market, Vinfast can’t make an cheap and affordable car to suit mass VN market. This will give impression to the world that Vinfast is a cheap car brand. They have to start with premium image, then later only making cars for cheaper mass market.
Aiya, these Vietnamese thought selling cars are like selling Vietnamese beef noodle? We shall see in near future , of they can make a cut.
We couldn’t even enter US markets.
Neither does Toyota Yaris, therefore they had to rebadge a Mazda2 to enter. This coming from THE largest carmaker globally yeah. So nothing to be ashamed about not entering the US, not everything must revolve around them.
Geely is in Forbes 500 list and they are not in the US. And so?
problem in Malaysia is, all of a sudden all people become car expert but they have no idea of it. they get cheap cheap ways to do a car and when it fails they blame others. let the professionals do the work away from cronies and wannabes and we will get there.
Malaysians have been conditioned to expect cars must be cheap no matter what irregardless of tech, specs, safety, or inflation.
Now vinfast is a biggest car maker in ASEAN
We’ll see how competitive Vinfast pricing compare to ordinary cars. What’s the cost of ownership look like? Are the infrastructures are in place for the target market?? Are the supply chains readily available with minimal cost??? Vinfast is taking a big risk either they excel or bust as their domestic market cannot support the pricing & export market is a do or die mission.