Vietnam is not a country where you would expect a vibrant automotive industry, but it certainly does exist. Vinfast is big in its own country and will also come to Europe next year. They do that with the VF e35, which was signed to Pininfarina for the occasion. There we get acquainted with the model.
The VF e35 has a wheelbase of 2.95 meters and that provides considerable legroom in the back. The car will receive a 90 kWh battery pack, with which it should have a range of at least 500 km. Vinfast has an electric motor ready that delivers 150 kW and 320 Nm, which comes on only the front axle or in duplicate at the front and rear. The desired configuration is considered from market to market. Smooth loading is a top priority at Vinfast, that’s what the people we talk to promise us. In any case, the brand will not go for less than 150 kW on the fast charger.
VF e36
In addition to the VF e35, Vinfast also has the larger VF e36 (106 kWh, at least 550 km), which, with its enormous dimensions and more pronounced design, will probably find more popularity in the United States. Because indeed, in addition to Europe, Vinfast also has the US in its sights. Definitely a challenge, because the older generation of Americans may have less associations with Vietnam.
July in the Netherlands
Anyway, Europe, or more interestingly, the Netherlands: by July next year Vinfast wants to have the first copies in our country, the real renditions should follow in November 2022. For those who are still a bit skeptical about Vinfast: very understandable, but know that Vinfast is a brand of the Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private company, active in technology, industry and services. In addition to cars, it builds electric scooters (which it claims is the market leader in its own country) and electric buses and even operates holiday parks and hospitals. Also know that Vinfast has managed to snare the former CEO of Opel, Michael Lohscheller, and that the team (also Dutch) managers that will make Vinfast’s European advance have largely earned their spurs at Tesla. A brand to keep an eye on.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl