S02E10 Win or bust: VinFast VF 8
Although most people might not associate Vietnam with the automotive industry, thanks to a determined entrepreneur, the country has joined the ranks of those with their own car manufacturers. VinFast is now present in Europe with several models, one of which I tested, the VF 8.
Recently, it has become quite common for even relatively knowledgeable industry players to be unable to identify new cars without badges and inscriptions. Numerous new brands and models have appeared in the recent past, making it difficult to keep up with the expanding range. VinFast brings a new color to the palette, as we haven't really had the chance to sit in a car made in Vietnam until now.
The brand's history is still short but very interesting. They started manufacturing cars in 2017, initially building vehicles with traditional powertrains, then gradually transitioning to hybrids and electric cars. The founder and owner of VinFast is Pham Nhat Vuong, who is also the richest businessman in Vietnam. Vuong is the founder of Vingroup, which is the parent company of VinFast. Vuong’s journey to becoming Vietnam’s first billionaire is quite remarkable. After graduating from the Moscow Geological Prospecting Institute in Russia, Vuong moved to Ukraine in the early 1990s. There, he started an instant noodle business called Technocom, which became very successful. In 2009, he sold Technocom to Nestlé for $150 million and returned to Vietnam. Back in Vietnam, Vuong founded Vingroup, which has since grown into a major player in various sectors, including real estate, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and automotive. Under his leadership, Vingroup launched VinFast, Vietnam’s first major car manufacturer, which has gained international recognition for its electric vehicles. Vuong is known for his vision and ambition, often compared to Elon Musk for his bold ventures and significant investments in technology and innovation.
The VF 8, introduced in 2022 and now available in Europe, is a relatively large electric SUV with which the company is trying to break into a highly competitive segment that includes models like the KIA EV6, Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-e, and BYD Seal U. At first glance, the car does not stand out from the crowd; it fits perfectly into the design language we are accustomed to today. The length of 475 cm and the wheelbase of 295 cm promise a spacious interior. The VinFast logos discreetly surround the car, the lights follow current trends, and the rims could belong to any competitor, so the car is completely fine from the outside. One reason for this could be that VinFast teamed up with the Pininfarina design studio to create the exterior and interior of the car.
The trunk is only 376 liters, but there is also a 78-liter frunk in the car. However, passengers have plenty of space, and the first impression of the interior was very positive. The materials used are of good quality, the color scheme and stitching are nice, and it is clear that they tried to choose the best available for everything. I particularly liked that there is no unnecessary bling in the car; the interior is quite clean and functional. The seats are heated and ventilated, the steering wheel is also heated, ambient lighting, panoramic roof, almost everything is available for the VF 8.
One small detail immediately caught my eye: the stalk switches. I immediately knew this part looked familiar, do you too? Here are some photos, decide for yourself:
The dashboard is "naturally" represented by a central display, which works absolutely quickly, without lag or stuttering, and knows everything it needs to know – such as smartphone mirroring. Compared to the first VF 8s delivered to the US market in 2022, which received some criticism regarding build quality, I did not experience any of this two years later.
A common fear with new brands is safety, which VinFast tried to dispel with 11 airbags. Nevertheless, the car received only four stars in the NCAP crash test conducted in 2023, although there are models from European premium brands with the same rating. Another concern is quality and reliability: VinFast offers a general warranty of 10 years or 200,000 km for the VF 8, and the battery is covered without mileage limitation, supplemented by assistance service and mobile service. Time will tell how durable the car is, and the market will soon price all this accordingly. For now, VinFast cars can be purchased in Germany, the Netherlands, and France in Europe.
The drivetrain is based on a net 87.7 kWh battery pack, which powers two motors in models manufactured for the European market. This time, there will be no talk of horsepower, acceleration, and top speed; the car's dynamics are more than sufficient under all circumstances.
Where the VF 8 may currently lag behind some competitors is in relatively high consumption. According to WLTP, the large battery pack's capacity is only enough for 400 km, which means a consumption of 22 kWh per 100 km; in real life, this is more likely to be between 25 and 30 kWh. One reason for this could be the car's quite high weight of over 2500 kg and the drag coefficient of 0.28. I am sure that the development engineers will be able to improve the car's controlling software, and OTA (over-the-air) updates will improve the car's efficiency in the future.
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Who do I recommend it to? Those who want something special and are not afraid of novelties. Based on a short test, the VF 8 is a good quality and spacious car with a good price/value ratio – if you like it, go for it! Fortune favors the brave, and the very existence of this car is the best example of that.
Next week, I will introduce you to the Polestar 4, the model of the Swedish-Chinese brand that is perhaps the most interesting in the fleet market. Stay with me then too.
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Disclaimer: opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer and are not supported by any OEMs.
New Business Director at KNK PR&Média Kft
3 个月Very informative