While the EU is slowly starting to deal with the influx of cheap electric cars from China, another one is coming from Vietnam.
The Vietnamese car company VinFast, which has already penetrated the American market and plans to build a new plant there, was one of the expected stars of the Munich Auto Show. Unfortunately, it did not arrive at that time, which was attributed to problems with entering the European market. But he will finally make it before the end of this year.
According to information from Reuters journalists, who refer to an unnamed source, VinFast has received approval for the import and sale of the electric SUV VF 8 in Europe and plans to deliver the first units by the end of the year. Around 3,000 vehicles from the first batch, which were manufactured and shipped from northern Vietnam, are expected to head to Germany, France and the Netherlands during the fourth quarter of this year.
At the same time, we read from the price list on the French market that the basic VinFast VF 8 Eco starts at a price of 50,990 euros (approx. 1,242,000 CZK). It offers a pair of electric motors with a maximum output of 260 kW (353 hp), acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, and a battery with a capacity of 87.7 kWh should be enough for a range of 471 km. Charging from 10 to 70% should then be a matter of about 31 minutes.
The roughly similar size Tesla Model Y starts in France at a price of 45,990 euros (approx. 1,122,000 CZK), but in the basic version it offers a shorter range (455 km) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The more powerful Model Y Long Range will cost more than the VF 8 in France.
The compact SUV from Vietnam with dimensions of 4,750 x 1,934 x 1,667 millimeters offers an interesting design and equipment, including technological and comfort. The menu includes a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, a driver recognition system, artificial leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, central and knee airbags, etc.
It can be expected that a number of cheap electric models from China will also head to European markets in the coming months, but if the EU were to introduce import duties or other fees on them, VinFast could represent an interesting option at interesting prices. But the question remains how the new model will be received in Europe.
In fact, overseas, where the VF 8 model has been sold for several months, it has received many negative reactions. Overseas colleagues complained about a whole range of problems, including various hums, poorly adjusted assistance systems, hard chassis, uncomfortable seats, problematic infotainment and short range.
Although the automaker has worked on the car and released a number of corrective updates, sales in the US market remain below expectations. All that remains is to wait for VF 8 to be launched on European markets.
2023-09-22 15:54:00
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