Vinfast comes to Germany
On the trail of Tesla
Vinfast VF 9
© press-inform – the press office
Hardly anyone knew Vinfast a few months ago. But it was only when ex-Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller changed that the Vietnamese car maker hit the headlines. The Vietnamese are now confirming that Vinfast wants to set up its own production in Germany based on the Tesla model from 2025.
It does not seem that uninteresting for the new electrical manufacturers to manufacture vehicles in Europe and especially in Germany. At the CES in Las Vegas, the Vietnamese car manufacturer Vinfast not only presented a total of five new electric crossovers, but also confirmed that they are intensively looking for a production location in Germany. The automotive arm of the Vietnamese Vingroup already had its big trade fair appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show and not only presented its new North American headquarters and the two new electric SUVs VF e35 / e36.
Less than two months later, CEO Michael Lohscheller, who switched from Opel to Vinfast, is in the past and Le Thi Thu Thuy, previously deputy chairwoman of the Vingroup, has taken over the regiment. Under the female CEO, there was the next bang of the still young car maker from Vietnam at the Consumer Electric Show in Las Vegas. Up to now, Vinfast was only known to a few experts in both North America and Europe. The Vietnamese once manufactured motor scooters for their home market, then the two Vinfast Lux A 2.0 and Lux SA 2.0 models were added in 2018 under the leadership of former GM managers, both of which were licensed for the discontinued BMW 5-series and X5 models. “We now have a sales share of eight percent on the home market,” said ex-CEO Michael Lohscheller soberly in mid-November about the market, which allows 200,000 new models per year. The automaker was only founded in 2017 and is set to conquer the world over the next few years with production facilities in Vietnam, the USA and Germany. At the CES, Vinfast confirmed that in the future they will rely solely on electric cars, because even on the home market they will immediately say goodbye to the previous combustion models with BMW and Opel genes.
How quickly you can work in Vietnam in addition to the previous financial investment of 5.4 billion US dollars, you can see for yourself at CES 2022 in Las Vegas. The two electric SUVs VF e35 / e36 presented at great expense in Los Angeles were quickly renamed the VF 8 / VF 9 models. So they fit better into the new nomenclature of the other three smaller electric SUVs, which celebrated their premiere in Vegas and thus form a starting quintet. “Four of them should also come to Europe, because the small VF 5 is only intended for Asian markets,” explains CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy and, based on the Tesla model, promises a new production facility in Germany for the next few years. The decision to start a new vehicle production facility will soon be made. After Michael Lohscheller visited several federal states with Le Thi Thu Thuy, the die seems to have been cast for the state of Thuringia. The Stellantis production in Eisenach – a former Opel factory – is currently fighting for survival. A new vehicle production would be just right for the east German state with its ailing industry. The final decision is still pending, but should be lashed within 2022. German Vinfast vehicle production could begin by 2025.
Until then, however, the Vinfast models will still come to Europe from the domestic production of the still young automobile plant in the Dinh Vu Industrial Park in Hai Phong. All Vinfast models are guaranteed for ten years or 125,000 miles / 200,000 kilometers. The models rely on well-known suppliers – not least from Germany. With Vinfast, for example, the southern German auto supplier ZF is bringing an autonomous level 3 driving system for cars onto the road that can be gradually scaled up. The first models, the two electric mid-range and luxury-class SUVs VF 8 / VF 9, can be ordered with immediate effect and deliveries are to take place in the fourth quarter.
The Vinfast VF 8 is a 4.75 meter long electric crossover, which, like the larger VF 9, is all-wheel drive powered by 300 kW / 408 PS / 640 Nm electric motors. From a standing start it goes up to speed in 5.5 seconds and the VF 8 has an electric range of around 500 kilometers. As a seven-seater with the same drive, the 5.12 meter long Vinfast VF 9 has a range of 550 kilometers thanks to a larger battery pack before it goes to the next charging station. The standard consumption is 17.1 and 17.3 kWh / 100 kilometers. The prices for the Vinfast VF 8 should start at just under 44,000 euros and the top equipment is 50,900 euros. In addition, there is the monthly battery leasing, which should cost 120 euros. The large Vinfast VF 9 costs between 58,600 and 63,000 euros – also plus the monthly battery pack. If you order quickly, you will receive a voucher for EUR 2,500 or EUR 4,200. You want to attract your first customers not only with a pleasant design, solid technology and the price discount, but also with an exclusive membership. “We hope that our exclusive VinFirst – ‘Pioneer ‘ s Grantitude to Pioneers ‘program will be seen as a meaningful gift for our first customers at the start of an exciting new year and as the start of a smart and sustainable future of mobility for everyone “said Vinfast CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy, who will retain her position as Vingroup Vice-Chair.
Technology and the pleasing Pininfarina design are one thing, market presence is another, and that too is what determines success and failure. In Europe, Vinfast wants to do without a network of car dealers and, in addition to direct online sales, rely solely on branded stores that put the new electric vehicles and probably also scooters in the right light. The vehicles should be delivered to your home after purchase and the technicians also come to the customer for service and try to solve the problem locally.